SOMETHING close to a first-choice Scotland team will take the field against Italy on Saturday after Vern Cotter recalled most of the big names who sat out the first two Rugby World Cup warm-up matches.
Greig Laidlaw has been named as captain for the Murrayfield match, and remains a strong favourite to hold on to the honour during the tournament itself. There are also first appearances of the summer in the squad of 25 for Jonny Gray, Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Ryan Wilson.
Seymour was named in the squad for the match against Ireland but had to pull out because of injury. Wilson is only now available again after completing a six-month suspension from international duty following a conviction for assault.
Five players are named in the squad for the third week in succession, including Peter Horne and Greig Tonks, both of whom are utility backs who can play at stand-off. The other three are Sean Lamont, who is closing in on his 100th cap, Matt Scott and Gordon Reid.
Of those who remain in the squad following the release of seven players on Monday, only four have yet to be used at all. Alex Dunbar is still recovering from injury, and will be given until the last possible moment to prove his fitness for the World Cup. Sean Maitland is also returning from injury, Josh Strauss has yet to become eligible on medical grounds, and Chris Cusiter continues to train with his club, Sale Sharks. Although Cusiter remains an official member of the squad, he has not been physically present since it was convened back in June. He was at first on paternity leave, after which it was agreed that he stay home with his family but remain available for a call-up in the event of injury to the three other scrum-halves, Laidlaw, Henry Pyrgos and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.
In all there are 15 changes to the squad from the 25 who were initially named for last week’s 16-12 win against the Italians in Turin. A record crowd for a summer Test at Murrayfield is expected after the previous high of 35,264 - against Ireland in a warm-up match for the 2003 World Cup - was surpassed on Monday night.
Scotland (v Italy at BT Murrayfield, Saturday, 3.15pm): Backs from: Mark Bennett, Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (all Glasgow), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow), Matt Scott, Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh), Tim Visser (Harlequins).
Forwards from: John Barclay (Scarlets), Fraser Brown (Glasgow), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh), Jonny Gray, Rob Harley (both Glasgow), Stuart McInally, WP Nel (both Edinburgh), Gordon Reid (Glasgow), Jon Welsh (Newcastle), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow).
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