JOHN BARCLAY WILL lead a patched-up Scotland squad into their November Tests despite only just recovering from a head injury.
The Hong Kong-born backrow forward captains the side for the Tests with Samoa, world champions New Zealand and 2015 World Cup finalists Australia as Greig Laidlaw is injured.
The 31-year-old has missed his Welsh side Scarlets last four games with the injury.
Scrum-half and kicker Laidlaw is one of several key players unavailable through injury.
Lock Richie Gray, wing Sean Maitland, and centres Matt Scott and Mark Bennett are other notable injured absentees.
However, on the plus side Huw Jones who impressed in last Six Nations in the centre, returns to the set-up after the Stormers star tore his hamstring in the Scots win over Italy in March.
Townsend, who earned his coaching spurs with a five year spell at Glasgow Warriors, has called up 10 new caps including Sale Sharks in-form South Africa-born winger Byron McGuigan, who has been capped by the Scots in the sevens discipline.
Gregor Townsend. Paul Harding
Paul Harding
There is also a first call-up for another player plying his trade in the English Premiership Luke Hamilton, the 25-year-old having already represented Wales at U20 level.
“The players selected have worked exceptionally hard at their clubs to earn inclusion in the national squad and we’re looking forward to working with them throughout the autumn series,” said Townsend.
“They will need to intensify their efforts further still to earn the opportunity and honour of play in front of capacity crowds in what are three exciting fixtures.
“We’re facing two of the world’s top three sides after a significant challenge from Samoa in our opening game. It will be an excellent challenge for our players.”
Scotland squad
Forwards: Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Scarlets/WAL/capt), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers/ENG), Darryl Marfo (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)
Backs: Phil Burleigh (Edinburgh), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife (Scotland 7s), Nathan Fowles (Edinburgh), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons/ENG), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Stormers/RSA), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks/ENG), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
No place in Scotland squad for flanker Hardie amid reports of alleged cocaine use
JOHN BARCLAY WILL lead a patched-up Scotland squad into their November Tests despite only just recovering from a head injury.
The Hong Kong-born backrow forward captains the side for the Tests with Samoa, world champions New Zealand and 2015 World Cup finalists Australia as Greig Laidlaw is injured.
The 31-year-old has missed his Welsh side Scarlets last four games with the injury.
Scrum-half and kicker Laidlaw is one of several key players unavailable through injury.
Lock Richie Gray, wing Sean Maitland, and centres Matt Scott and Mark Bennett are other notable injured absentees.
And flanker John Hardie is suspended according to reports due to an enquiry into his allegedly taking cocaine for what will be head coach Gregor Townsend’s first home Tests since replacing Vern Cotter.
However, on the plus side Huw Jones who impressed in last Six Nations in the centre, returns to the set-up after the Stormers star tore his hamstring in the Scots win over Italy in March.
Townsend, who earned his coaching spurs with a five year spell at Glasgow Warriors, has called up 10 new caps including Sale Sharks in-form South Africa-born winger Byron McGuigan, who has been capped by the Scots in the sevens discipline.
There is also a first call-up for another player plying his trade in the English Premiership Luke Hamilton, the 25-year-old having already represented Wales at U20 level.
“The players selected have worked exceptionally hard at their clubs to earn inclusion in the national squad and we’re looking forward to working with them throughout the autumn series,” said Townsend.
“They will need to intensify their efforts further still to earn the opportunity and honour of play in front of capacity crowds in what are three exciting fixtures.
“We’re facing two of the world’s top three sides after a significant challenge from Samoa in our opening game. It will be an excellent challenge for our players.”
Scotland squad
Forwards: Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Scarlets/WAL/capt), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers/ENG), Darryl Marfo (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)
Backs: Phil Burleigh (Edinburgh), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife (Scotland 7s), Nathan Fowles (Edinburgh), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons/ENG), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Stormers/RSA), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks/ENG), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
– © AFP 2017
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