Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club

[Arlene]

Three uncapped players from the pro-teams are named today in Scotland’s 30 man squad for their vital tour to Argentina next month.

Ben Cairns, the 22-year-old Edinburgh centre is joined by Glasgow Warriors duo, wing Thom Evans and prop Moray Low, both 23, in the squad for the two Tests against the world’s third ranked team.

Elsewhere in the squad there is a recall after a prolonged injury absence for hooker Dougie Hall, while two extra backs and three additional forwards are still to be selected as the coaches examine final Magners League games this weekend and also monitor the recovery of players from injury.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: “We are fully aware of the size of the challenge but it’s one we’re looking forward to. Argentina have made enormous progress over the last ten years and thoroughly deserved to be ranked third best side in the world.

“We ran them close in the quarter-final of the World Cup and we’re fully committed to reversing that result in June.”

As previously announced Hadden will be assisted by pro-team head coaches Sean Lineen (Glasgow Warriors) and Andy Robinson (Edinburgh Rugby), while the expertise of Mark Bitcon (strength and conditioning), Duncan Hodge (kicking) and Alan Tait (defence) will also be on hand.

Hadden noted that the selections of Cairns, Evans and Low was a reward for their form in the pro-teams’ strong ending to the Magners League and also for their displays earlier in the season in the Scotland A victories over their Italian and Irish counterparts.

“I’m delighted that the bulk of this squad will be home-based players, which is a reflection on the recent form of both of our professional teams and the quality of the development work which has gone on in our country over a number of years,” he added.

Mike Blair captains the tour party, his leadership having impressed Hadden since he took on the added responsibility in February.

“Experience is a precious quality at international level and we will look to Mike and a number of our seasoned professionals to set the tone on this tour,” Hadden said.

Scotland squad (sponsor Murray) to play two Test matches in Argentina – 7 June (Rosario) and 14 June (Buenos Aires):

Backs – Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN, plus two players who will be selected later this month

Forwards – Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Dave Callam (Edinburgh Rugby), Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), plus three players who will be selected later this month

Unavailable through injury: Sean Lamont, Jason White, Jim Hamilton and Scott Lawson and Ross Rennie

Management
Head coach – Frank Hadden
Coaches – Sean Lineen and Andy Robinson
Strength and conditioning coach – Mark Bitcon
Kicking coach – Duncan Hodge
Defence coach – Alan Tait
Assistant strength and conditioning coach – Andy Smith
Doctor – James Robson
Physiotherapists – Stephen Mutch and Torgny Johannson
Analyst – Gavin Scott
Manager – Guy Richardson
Media manager – Graham Law
Lawyer – Bruce Caldow
Team co-ordinator – Kirsty Mackay
Kit manager – Ryan Krause

[superl99]

Hm. Well, I guess Mossy is being considered a fullback, for the next few minutes at least. I thought Rory Lamont was expected to be fit, so I expect one of the back spots is for him. As for the forwards- well, the back row is certainly covered, but they might want at least one more lock With Hines and Murray stuck in France and Hamilton and White injured, who gets the call? Kellock might be fit, but who else is there? Another prop wouldn't hurt either.

[Jon]

I assume that Cussiter, Hines and Taylor are dependent on how far they go in the french championship?

I would have thought Macdonald would be an outside bet given Rennie's injury and his form (including MOM in win against Ireland A)

[Oldsalt]

Bit short of wingers!

No Simon, no Lamonts, no Walker and I hope Danielli's ankle is okay.

Still 5 or 6 places up for grabs. Mind you squad is still full of players who have attracted a lot of criticism this year. Go figure what will happen!

Hope Ben Cairns, Moray Low and Thom Evans get their caps, wouldn't want any of them to travel just to appease some of the critical supporters, wouldn't happen, would it?

[Crichton Gunner]

Looks a pretty good squad to me. Agreed, we could do with some more bulk at lock, some more wingers, and I would also take Alan MacDonald; this may all yet come to pass. Nonetheless, the squad contains some pretty exciting attacking players, and has plenty of scoring potential in it. There's a lot of young backs who are in good form at the moment, and I feel pretty confident that this will be a successful tour for us.

[superl99]

Just been announced that Moray Low is ruled out with an ankle injury, so Craig Smith takes his place. Also, Rory Lamont and Nikki Walker are ruled out through injury, so Max Evans gets promoted from the A squad. Still waiting on whether Webbo will be fit.

[MikeyBlair2004]

i feel sorry fior murray low was looking forward to see if he was gonna make his debut

owh well allways hope for when he returns

[Baz]

does anyone know if the games are being shown on tv?

[GuitarHero]

[The Nudger]

Oh christ - covered by the BBC?

That'll probable mean we'll get a 30 minute show at 3.15am on a a Tuesday morning with 2 minutes of highlights and 28 minutes of mourning abuot poor Danny's ankle or some other such crap.

[jimc]

[on looker]

[Oldsalt]

I sent an email to the Beeb last week on how no mention was made of the final standings of the two pro teams given that both achieved their best finish ever in the league and that outwith the 6 Nations rugby is ignored by the BBC in Scotland.. Here is the reply!!

Thank you for your e-mail.

I understand you believe there should be more reports about rugby on the Scottish news. I appreciate you think the professional rugby teams should have been mentioned.

The choice of news stories to report in our programmes is frequently very difficult. Editorial staff always have more sports reports than can be fitted into the time available, and their choice has to be selective. No matter how carefully such decisions are made, they are always aware that some people may disagree with them.

I realise you feel strongly about this so I've registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers. The audience logs are seen as important documents that can help shape decisions about future programming and content. All feedback we receive, whether positive or negative, is always appreciated. We are committed to developing better links with you, our audience, to further enhance our understanding of your viewing needs.

Thanks again for contacting us.

Regards

Elaine Hunter
BBC Complaints

A pretty anodyne reply. Get a few complaints in and it may change. At least they covered the announcement of the Heineken Cup Final yesterday, now there's a surprise.

[Derrick Lee's #1 Fan]

Why use two words to tell someone to pi$$ off when 189 will do?

[Legless]