THE latest piece in SRU rugby director Jim Telfer's masterplan for the wellbeing of Scottish rugby was unveiled yesterday with the naming of the Scotland Development XV who will play Durham County in a warm-up for the showpiece encounter against New South Wales on February 11.

Two full caps, in Tony Stanger and Andy Nicol, provide experience to a side which contains no fewer than six young Exiles with the Bath scrum half as captain and Stanger reverting to the wing-threequarter berth he had eschewed for Scotland.

The side, which plays Durham County at Pennypit Park on January 31, also includes Melrose flanker Nick Broughton. The Otago man, who qualifies for Scotland on the basis of a Scottish grandparent, enlisted with Melrose at the start of the season and, said Telfer yesterday, has committed himself to Scotland for two or three years.

The back-row blend of Broughton at open-side, Bruce Ward and Martin Waite means, surprisingly, that there is no place for Gareth Flockhart of Stirling County.

Development squad convener George Blackie said the side had steered clear of Scotland under-21 and Scotland A players and that Flockhart had been available for selection.

Telfer added that the side had been chosen with personnel playing in specialist positions very much in mind and Broughton came into the category of being a genuine open-side flanker.

``I think we saw on Saturday against Ireland that you cannot go into an international match without a genuine open-side,'' said Telfer.

``As to how we see Gareth Flockhart that is something I would rather discuss with the player, but even with his club he has not had a settled position.

``He had a very good tour in Zimbabwe and has played well in the District championship and he is not out of the picture. He has the physical presence we are looking for in the back row but he has been changed around a bit at his club and, from memory, has played second row, blindside, and No.8.''

The director of rugby added: ``In the new age of professionalism, we must find ways of keeping talented players in the game, rather than letting them drift away. We want to provide high quality training and meaningful fixtures.

``The Development squad will act as a secure foundation under the A and international sides, helping to identify player talent and ensuring those players' abilities are developed to the full,'' he said.

The game against New South Wales at Netherdale on February 11 will provide a stern test for this new Scotland representative side, which will, incidentally, play in yellow and blue.

NSW, captained by Tim Gavin with David Campese as vice-captain, bring with them around a dozen full internationals on a 10-match tour.

The Scotland Development XV will be managed by ex Scotland and British Lions' wing Roger Baird, and coached by Kevin Greene and Henry Edwards. Roy Laidlaw will act as team administrator.

Scotland Development XV (v Durham County, January 31, Pennypit Park, 7.30) - G Fraser (London Scottish); A G Stanger (Hawick), I Wynn (Orrell), A James (Wasps), N C Renton (Kirkcaldy); M McKenzie (Stirling County), A D Nicol (Bath); T Smith (Watsonians), S Scott (Melrose), M J Stewart (Blackheath), M McVie (Edinburgh Academicals), K Stewart (Cardiff), B Ward (Currie), M Waite (Edinburgh Academicals), N Broughton (Melrose).

Replacements - M McGrandles (Stirling County), D C Bain (Melrose), J Hamilton (Leicester), S B Grimes (Watsonians), G McIlwham (GHK), G McKelvey (Watsonians).

Referee - R Megson (Edinburgh Wanderers).