ALLAN Dell, the Edinburgh prop, is in line to make his Test debut against Italy on Saturday as the Scotland camp await definitive news on the extent of Ryan Grant’s injury. Grant damaged an ankle in the 28-22 loss to Ireland, and although Vern Cotter was loath to speculate on any lay-off period, the coach hinted that the Glasgow player might be back before too long.
With only two games to go before he names his final squad of 31 for the Rugby World Cup, Cotter intended to ring the changes for the match in Turin in any case. As well as mentioning Dell in a post-match debriefing after the weekend defeat in Dublin, he suggested there would be a new look to the back row.
“With Ryan not with us for a week or so we have Allan Dell, who has been training with us,” Cotter said of the 23-year-old loosehead, who was born in Humansdorp, South Africa, and is eligible for Scotland thanks to a Paisley-born grandmother. “The boys are focusing on all facets of the game and we will certainly be having a look at the scrum. We still have WP Nel who can take the field at some stage.”
Dell was included in the Scotland squad for the November Tests, but was injured and replaced by Grant. Nel, a tighthead prop who was also born in South Africa, has just qualified to represent Scotland on residential grounds.
Hugh Blake, who started at openside, and Mike Cusack, a replacement prop, were the two debutants at the Aviva Stadium. Having played another openside, Blair Cowan, out of position at No 6, and given John Barclay a run off the pitch, Cotter could turn this week to the only remaining uncapped No 7 in the squad, New-Zealand-born John Hardie.
“I think we will run through three games and then sit back and analyse everything afterwards,” Cotter said when asked about his options in the position. “I would anticipate that there will be opportunities for other players next weekend against Italy.”
With 25 players still to be given a run out before final selection, Cotter will certainly make changes to the back division too, but was disinclined to be specific. “I think there will be a few players who may get another run, but there will be players who won’t,” he added.
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