Further evidence of Scotland’s improving prospects ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup were provided last weekend when two early tries from Euan Aitken sent St George Illawarra Dragons on their way to the top of Australia’s National Rugby League.

It was their fifth win in six matches so far and his description of the methods that have brought them about sound like an extension of those that saw Scotland produce what was perhaps the biggest shock in international rugby league history when drawing with world number one ranked New Zealand during last year’s Four Nations tournament.

“I put it down our power game plan. We are creating opportunities through our forwards and that power generates a chance for our halves to be on the front foot so they have more time to make decisions. That then allows the outside backs to do their thing and get points,” said the man who played outside mercurial and inspirational half-back Danny Brough in the autumn.

That was Aitken’s first experience of the national squad and he revelled in it.

“I gained friendships on that trip and learned more about my Scottish heritage,” said Aitken, whose grandfather was a Glaswegian who emigrated on the ‘Ten Pound Pom’ programme. “Seeing the talent in the Scotland side I thought we would compete but to get a draw against the then number one side was amazing. That experience of playing against the best players in the world was wonderful.”

Operating at the high end of the club game can only boost individual and collective confidence, that outstanding performance by Aitken coming just weeks after his fellow Scotland team-mate Lewis Tierney played a part in helping Wigan Warriors beat Cronulla Sharks, last year’s Australian champions, to win the World Club Challenge.

In last year’s Four Nations, Scotland were the strongest they have been in two decades of international rugby league, but were still without two of their most influential NRL players, Peter Wallace, who has not played for Scotland since the 2013 World Cup and Joe Wardle, who missed both that 2013 campaign and the Four Nations through injury, but was part of the team that won the 2014 European Championship.

Wallace, who has changed his role from scrum-half to hooker since performing brilliantly during that surprise run to the World Cup quarter-final, is captaining his home town club Penrith Panthers, while Wardle, who played centre for Scotland has made his NRL debut and scored his first try from second row for Newcastle Knights.

Feeding off that performance against New Zealand there is, then, growing belief that they have the potential to at least match if not improve upon their performance at the last World Cup when they create what will be, for several of the squad, home from home on the Gold Coast later this year.

“If we can put our strongest side on the field we will be looking not just to compete but to win games. We have a tough draw but I think we are capable of producing some upsets in the tournament,” said Aitken.