Hopes that British Lions prop Tom Smith would start the Welsh Challenge Trophy this weekend have been dashed. Smith was named in the Glasgow Caledonians squad for the tournament yesterday, but during training he aggravated the back strain which kept him out of last Sunday's Tennent's Velvet Tri-Series decider against Edinburgh Reivers.
There was better news of fellow Scotland internationalist James Craig, who has recovered from flu in time to travel for the opening two matches, against Ebbw Vale on Sunday and Bridgend, although neither he nor fellow travelling reserve Gavin Scott is in the 22 for the first of those matches.
After coming on as a replacement against the Reivers and in last week's defeat by the Scottish Districts Under-21 side, Gordon Simpson will start a game for the first time since early season. The Scotland flanker is making steady progress towards match fitness.
Another who toured with the national side in the summer but who has played little rugby since, Alan Bulloch, is selected in an accustomed role at full back, with Tommy Hayes switching to stand-off and Luke Smith dropping to the bench.
Glasgow Caledonians - A Bulloch; D Stark, I Jardine, J Leslie, S Longstaff; T Hayes, F Stott; G McIlwham, G Bulloch captain, W Anderson, S Campbell, S Grimes, G Simpson, J Shaw, M Waite. Replacements - L Smith, A Collins, D Patterson, G Flockhart, J Petrie, J Manson, K McKenzie.
qThe British League working party will not reconvene until early next week, according to SRU representative Colin Fisher.
The English-based committee man said yesterday that he expects to finalise plans for the next meeting by the time he sees working party chairman Glanmor Griffiths at the
Pontypridd v Edinburgh Reivers game on Sunday.
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