JOHN Hardie and Stuart McInally are among the players set to win their first caps against Italy on Saturday after being named in the Scotland squad of 25 for the match in Turin. Hardie, an openside flanker from New Zealand, has not played for a Scottish team since moving from Otago. McInally, who had to withdraw from last week’s squad against Ireland because of a stomach complaint, is one of the three hookers in the wider training squad and is certain to be included in the final group of 31 for the Rugby World Cup.
The other uncapped players in the squad for the match at the Stadio Olimpico are WP Nel, the Edinburgh prop, and two backs, Rory Hughes of Glasgow and Damien Hoyland of Edinburgh. Grant Gilchrist will captain the team.
Scotland (v Italy in Turin, Saturday, 7pm BST): Backs: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps), Sean Lamont, Henry Pyrgos (both Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott, Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir (both Glasgow Warriors),
Forwards: Adam Ashe, Kevin Bryce, Mike Cusack (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (all Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), John Hardie (unattached), Stuart McInally, Willem Nel (both Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpigan), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby).
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