Advertisement
Head coach Gregor Townsend. Brian Lawless
November Tests

Ex-England and New Zealand youth internationals included in Scotland squad

Gregor Townsend has named three uncapped players in a 40-strong list ahead of Tests with Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.

SCOTLAND HEAD COACH Gregor Townsend has named the uncapped trio of Sam Skinner, Sam Johnson and Blade Thomson in his 40-strong Scotland squad for the autumn Tests.

Exeter second-rower Skinner is a former England youth international, while Scarlets number eight Thomson has represented New Zealand’s U20s.

They join Glasgow centre Johnson in the 40-man group named ahead of next month’s clash with Wales in Cardiff and three Murrayfield Tests against Fiji (10 November), South Africa (17 November) and Argentina (24 November).

Scotland’s most-capped player Ross Ford has won a recall as he looks to build on his 110 appearances for the national team.

Leinster v Exeter Chiefs - European Rugby Champions Cup - Pool Three - Aviva Stadium Sam Skinner of Exeter Chiefs (right) tackling Leinster's Garry Ringrose. Brian Lawless Brian Lawless

But Stuart Hogg, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Duncan Taylor and Tim Swinson miss out through injury.

We now begin the last 12 months of our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019 with four Test matches in four weeks, a similar challenge to the one we’ll face in Japan,” said Townsend.

“We’ve named a 40-man group for this campaign, which highlights the quality of player that is now available to us and the competition for places.”

Scotland squad 

Forwards: Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, David Denton, Matt Fagerson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Murray McCallum, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Sam Skinner, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson

Backs: Alex Dunbar, Dougie Fife, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Pete Horne,Sam Johnson, Huw Jones, Lee Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Byron McGuigan, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Matt Scott, Tommy Seymour

Players not considered due to injury: John Barclay, Mark Bennett, Lewis Carmichael, Cornell du Preez, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Stuart Hogg, Tim Swinson, Duncan Taylor.

© – AFP 2018

Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:

Your Voice
Readers Comments
12
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel