Scotland squad announced for tour of Argentina

Published 12 May 2010 14:05 0 Comments

HEAD coach Andy Robinson has today named the Scotland squad for next month's two-Test tour of Argentina.

The 27-strong squad includes the entire 22 who delivered Scotland's victory over Ireland in the final RBS 6 Nations Championship match at Croke Park.

In addition there is one uncapped player, the 25-year-old Edinburgh back Jim Thompson, who has won promotion after some encouraging displays in the Scotland A team and for Edinburgh. Thompson is also a product of the Scotland 7s set-up.

However, former Gala star Chris Paterson was omitted from the squad.

Robinson said: "We are really looking forward to playing against Argentina. We have a lot of respect for the way the game is played there and we want to improve upon our success in our most recent game in the Six Nations.

"As well as our two Test matches in Argentina we will prepare for those contests with our game at Murrayfield against a Japan Select. In addition there are matches against Georgia, Namibia and Argentina Jaguars for Scotland A in the IRB Nations Cup, so from my perspective we are playing six Test matches this summer and that will be reflected when we announce the Scotland A squad next week."

Sean Lineen, Glasgow Warriors' head coach, will lead Scotland A in their defence of the Nations Cup, which was won when Robinson was at the helm in Bucharest last June.

From the squad that defeated Uruguay, Russia and their French counterparts last year, Alex Grove, Richie Vernon and Kyle Traynor went on to win Scotland caps in the past year, underlining Robinson's stance on the importance of the Scotland A team.

Robinson has selected three scrum-halves for Argentina, Mike Blair and Rory Lawson joining captain Chris Cusiter. "We want to involve all three. Rory has been playing well and both Mike and Chris have been bothered by niggling injuries over the last few weeks," he explained.

Robinson may yet add an additional player to the squad for Argentina. Preparations for both that tour and the IRB Nations Cup will include a Scotland XV against a Japan Select. That match will be played at Murrayfield on Tuesday 1 June with a 7pm kick-off. Admission to that game is FREE.

Scotland's matches in Argentina are as follows -First Test: Saturday, June 12, Argentina v Scotland, Tucuman, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST. Second Test: Saturday, June 19, Argentina v Scotland, Mar del Plata, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST.

Both matches will be shown live on BBC2 Scotland and will be available to viewers throughout the rest of the UK via the BBC website and red button. There will also be live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland.

The Scotland squad depart on Friday, June 4. Scotland squad for tour of Argentina

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow Warriors), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) and Jim Thompson (Edinburgh).

Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) and Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester).

Head coach - Andy Robinson

Assistant coaches - Gregor Townsend, Graham Steadman, Duncan Hodge and Massimo Cuttitta

Analysis - Gavin Scott

Strength and Conditioning - Neill Potts

Nutrition - Richard Chessor

Doctor - James Robson

Physiotherapists - Paul McGinley and Stephen Mutch

Manager - Guy Richardson

National team co-ordinator - Kirsty Mackay

Media - Graham Law

Kit manager - John Pennycuick

Sports psychologist - Richard Cox

Lawyer - Bruce Caldow

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