Ahead of their Autumn test series, new Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named a thirty three man squad and has named a new Scottish captain, Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist.
The 24 year old, who led his nation twice during the summer tour, including a victory over Argentina, will skipper his side against Argentina at Murrayfield on November 8th; New Zealand, again at Murrayfield, a week later on the 15th and, to round up the series, Tonga at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on November 22nd.
The squad shows only one new cap with in-form Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett, who scored twice against Bath in the European Champions Cup last weekend, looking to see some game-time.
Surprisingly, though, the experienced trio of Kelly Brown, Alistair Kellock and Jim Hamilton have all been omitted in what could be construed as a conscious effort by Cotter to focus on youth in advance of next year’s World Cup.
Formerly of Clermont, Vern Cotter is expecting a tough test from Scotland’s test opponents, but is relishing the prospect of pitting his teams defense against Argentina and, in particular the All Blacks.
: “Argentina will offer us a very stern test, especially scrum time. They have good variety and move the ball well from nine, through the middle of the paddock and out the back.
“The All Blacks have just won the Rugby Championship and are the best team in the world, so we’ll have to be on our toes.
“They also have more variety in their kicking game so covering space in the back field will be important.
“Defensively, we’re going to get tested, which is good because we want to show that our defence has improved.
“Tonga will be the final big test psychologically, having come through two big games, to play away from BT Murrayfield, and needing to put in a good performance at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.
“It’s essential that we show maturity, mental strength and adaptability throughout the series”
FORWARDS: Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Castres), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby), Robert Harley, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (both Glasgow Warriors) Alasdair Strokosch (USA Perpignan), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors).
BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife, Tom Heathcote (both Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
