The Scotland A selectors have recalled Ally Donaldson and have left out several senior players for the match against England A at Headingley tomorrow night. The inclusion of the 32-year-old Currie stand-off is one of 11 changes - two of these positional - to the Scotland A side which lost 20-8 to Wales A two weeks ago.
Donaldson's re-entry into A level rugby has been necessitated by a crisis at stand-off. Unavailable for the A team are Craig Chalmers (promoted), Graham Shiel (long- term injury), Luke Smith (concussion), Ian McAusland (eye problem), and Scott Welsh (flu).
Moreover, there is an adherence, where possible, to the policy of allowing the under-21 players to develop at their level. That then ruled out Chris Paterson and Gordon Ross. One further problem for the selectors is that Tommy Hayes is not eligible to play for Scotland. Add in Jamie Cameron and Barry Irvine of London Scottish (both injured), and that means 10 stand-offs are unavailable.
Donaldson is playing his rugby at club level this season, and that could be a disadvantage for Scotland A as Doug Morgan, the team manager, admitted. He said: ''Superteam players have the advantage of the professional environment. When club players have been brought into our squads you can see a big difference in level.'' A further problem for Donaldson is that Currie have had a succession of matches postponed in recent weeks.
Understudying Donaldson will be Mark McKenzie, who is contracted to French club Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Elsewhere in the backs, other than at scrum half, it is all change. Stuart Lang returns at full back after being a late call-off for the Wales match, Craig Moir switches from left to right wing, Craig Joiner comes in at left wing, and Jamie Mayer and Ron Eriksson are paired in the centre.
Mayer had been tipped to win a place in the senior squad, but there clearly is a feeling that he has to prove himself after his groin injury setback.
Among the forwards there similarly are a number of significant changes. Matthew Proudfoot comes in at tight head for Mattie Stewart, Gavin Scott wins selection ahead of both Kevin McKenzie and the impressive Rob Russell, while, in the second row, Stewart Campbell returns from injury allowing the selectors to play Cammie Mather in his optimum position at No.6. On the other flank, Iain Sinclair comes in for hamstring victim Simon Holmes.
Overall, the team for the Headingley match has more of an 'A' look about it, in the sense that there are players in it who can be developed, and who have the ambition to go further.
''We have a group of players who are very hungry. We've had two good sessions. The eagerness is there. The players recognise that it is an opportunity to move up'' said Morgan. Team:
S Lang (Edinburgh Reivers); C Moir (Northampton), J Mayer (Edinburgh Reivers), R Eriksson (London Scottish), C Joiner (Leicester); A Donaldson (Currie),G Burns (Edinburgh Reivers); G Graham (Newcastle Falcons), G Scott (Glasgow Caledonians), M Proudfoot (Edinburgh Reivers), R Metcalfe (Northampton), S Campbell (Glasgow Cale-donians), C Mather (Edinburgh Reivers), S Reid (Leeds, captain) I Sinclair (Edinburgh Reivers). Replacements: M McKenzie (Bourgoin-Jalieu), D Officer (Harlequins), G Beveridge (Glasgow Caledonians), G Flockhart (Glasgow Caledonians), C Hogg (Edinburgh Reivers), W Anderson (Glasgow Cale-donians), R Russell (Edinburgh Reivers).
qThe Scottish Universities side to play English Universities at London Welsh tomorrow has been announced. Despite a heavy defeat by the Welsh, Scotland will be hoping to repeat their victory of last year, when the fixture was played at Peffermill. Team:
D McComb; J Goldie (both Dundee), R Steel (Heriot-Watt), D Hughes, K Gartside (both Stirling); G Mason (Abertay), A Wade (Edinburgh); G Caldwell, R Sands, M Henderson (all Heriot-Watt), A Ness (Abertay), G McKee (Dundee), G Haytor, J Petrie (both Abertay), D Watt (Edinburgh). Replacements: R Nelson (Stirling), W Devas , R Griffith , R Mitchell, A Sievwright (all Edinburgh), N Paterson (Dundee), S Hawe (Glasgow).
q THE Red Reivers failed to take their chances at the Recreation Ground last night and were beaten 31-13 by Bath United.
They had just as much possession and territory as their West Country opponents, but could not use the ball to the same effect.
John Malet, Nathan Thomas, Andy O'Neill, and Martin Haag touched down for United, while Tommy Hayes replied with a try, which he converted, and two penalties.
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