WP Nel, who has become arguably the most important member of the Scotland team since making his debut last year, has been left out of the squad for the three Autumn Tests because of injury. The tighthead prop played for Edinburgh Rugby at the weekend but has continued to suffer from a persistent neck problem and has been told to rest. for around a month.
The 30-year-old is the most significant omission from the squad that Vern Cotter, the national coach, announced yesterday for the games against Australia, Argentina and Georgia. The group of 31 contains players such as Peter Horne of Glasgow and Edinburgh’s Alasdair Dickinson, who, although currently out injured, could be ready on time for the Tests, which begin with the Wallabies’ visit to Murrayfield a fortnight on Saturday.
“He’s had this niggling neck injury, so we’re just having a look,” Cotter said of Nel. “At the moment it seems there’s no operation needed. Rest is the best thing for him, so he’s been given a minimum four-week rest period then he’ll be assessed from there.” Another Edinburgh prop, Rory Sutherland, is also out through injury, which means a call-up for his front-row team-mate Allan Dell, the only uncapped member of the squad. Saracens centre Duncan Taylor is another player to be included despite a current injury, but there is no room for Gloucester centre Matt Scott.
Cotter is confident that the England-based players he has selected will be available for selection despite a threat from English clubs to withhold them because of allegedly unpaid injury bills. World Rugby regulations say that clubs must release players to represent their country during accepted international windows, in which all three of Scotland’s forthcoming matches are included.
The English clubs’ stance softened earlier this week when they agreed to release Jamie Roberts and George North for Wales’s game against Australia on 5 November - a date that falls outside the window. “The fact of the matter is you can't deny people the opportunity to play Test match footie,” Cotter added.
The New Zealander, who will hand over to Gregor Townsend next summer then move to French club Montpellier, declined to be drawn when asked about an impending coaching reshuffle. “It’s not the right time for me to make a comment on it, because I think something will come through fairly soon,” he said. Scotland assistant coach Nathan Hines is expected to go with Cotter to Montpellier, while Glasgow assistants Matt Taylor and Dan McFarland could move to Scotland with Townsend, with Scotland assistants Jonathan Humphreys and Jason O’Halloran going in the opposite direction.
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