McInally 'in France' following 2 injuries in Scotland camp

Former Scotland hooker Stuart McInally has been flown out to France by the SRU although he has not joined Gregor Townsend’s official camp in Nice.

McInally has travelled out to the host nation as injury cover for Ewan Ashman, who is recovering from an injury picked up in training this week.

While the 33-year-old has not joined the squad, he has been asked to travel to France as “a precaution”.

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“We picked up two injuries at training. Ewan and George Horne both got injured. They both had concussion so they will be ruled out for this weekend.

“It’s important that Stuart came into the country, just in case we have another injury to a hooker today or as we get closer to the game. It’s a specialised position, the front row.

“There are certain rules and regulations he has to abide by. He can’t train with the team. He’s here as a precaution. We hope that Dave and George get through today’s training and the weekend and also that Ewan makes a full and quick recovery.”

The magnitude of the opening game against reigning world champions South Africa is not lost on Townsend.

“It’s the biggest opportunity you’ll get; a World Cup game playing the world champions. We believe we’ve been building to our best performance.

“Really this is where it will count for our players to deliver what they have been delivering in training and what they’ve been delivering in other games we’ve played this year.”

“That’s the job of us as coaches, of the senior players – players that have been there before – to be calm and to calm others.

“We’ll see it tonight watching the opening ceremony and a cracking game to start off the tournament. I’m sure that the players will feel that sense of adrenaline, nerves, excitement as we get closer to kick-off.”