The 2014 Rugby League European Championship was an international rugby league football tournament. The tournament took place in England, Wales, France, Ireland and Scotland between 17 October and 2 November. It was announced beforehand that the winner of the tournament would qualify for the 2016 Four Nations,[1] and also that if Ireland or Wales won tournament, they will automatically qualify for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (due to the World Cup qualifying tournament taking place at the same time as the 2016 Four Nations).[2] France and Scotland had already qualified for that tournament.
The England Knights were defending Champions but they did not compete in this year's tournament. Four teams competed in the 2014 event; Scotland, Ireland, France and Wales.[3] Scotland were crowned champions on points differential, and subsequently won their first Rugby League European Championship title. Scotland therefore qualified for the 2016 Four Nations, which will be their first appearance in a Four Nations tournament.
On 7 October, John Kear named the following 25 players as part of his squad in preparation for the tournament.[11]
On 9 October, John Kear brought in four new players to the team to add to his train-on squad after withdrawals from Garreth Carvell and Rob Massam. Carvell withdrew due to injury while Massam cited work commitments.[12] The four new players Kear brought in are: Tom Hughes, Morgan Evans, Lewis Reece and Owain Griffiths.