Dave Denton's involvement in Scotland's RBS Six Nations Championship campaign looks to be over as a result of a knee injury suffered during Edinburgh's defeat by the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday, writes Kevin Ferrie.
The Edinburgh back-row forward, who was considered one of Scotland's strongest contenders for a place on this summer's British & Irish Lions tour, has been struggling to regain his best form and has featured only off the bench so far.
He has been ruled out of Saturday's meeting with Wales making the return of Al Strokosch, who was replaced by Denton when he damaged a cheekbone early in the meeting with England on the opening weekend, well timed.
However, the Perpignan flanker's return to the team and even the squad is by no means automatic with Rob Harley having contributed hugely to the wins over Italy and Ireland in his absence while Ryan Wilson has also been recalled to what is a 35-man squad. The one expected change to the starting XV is a return for Euan Murray, who missed the Sunday fixture, last time around, because of his religious beliefs.
Squad. Backs Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Kennedy (all Glasgow Warriors),
Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Peter Murchie, Henry Pyrgos (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby), Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) , Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
Forwards John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Rob Harley, Alastair Kellock, Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (all Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Jon Welsh, Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors)
The Edinburgh back-row forward, who was considered one of Scotland's strongest contenders for a place on this summer's British & Irish Lions tour, has been struggling to regain his best form and has featured only off the bench so far.
He has been ruled out of Saturday's meeting with Wales making the return of Al Strokosch, who was replaced by Denton when he damaged a cheekbone early in the meeting with England on the opening weekend, well timed.
However, the Perpignan flanker's return to the team and even the squad is by no means automatic with Rob Harley having contributed hugely to the wins over Italy and Ireland in his absence while Ryan Wilson has also been recalled to what is a 35-man squad. The one expected change to the starting XV is a return for Euan Murray, who missed the Sunday fixture, last time around, because of his religious beliefs.
Squad. Backs: Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Kennedy (all Glasgow Warriors),
Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Peter Murchie, Henry Pyrgos (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby), Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) , Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Rob Harley, Alastair Kellock, Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (all Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Jon Welsh, Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors)
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