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Three uncapped players included to start as Scotland name A team
By Kim Ekin
Edinburgh flanker Luke Crosbie will captain Scotland A against Chile this Saturday in the first match of the South American tour. The 25-year-old made his Test debut against Tonga last year and will partner Ben Muncaster, who will pull on his first senior Scotland jersey having graduated from the U20s and impressed with Edinburgh.
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Glasgow Warriors back-rower Matt Fagerson makes his return from injury and will start at No8, while fit-again Scott Cummings is joined in the second row by Jamie Hodgson. Prop Jamie Bhatti and Javan Sebastian, alongside hooker Dave Cherry, complete the pack.
In the backs, Glasgow pair George Horne and Ross Thompson will partner at half-back, Sione Tuipulotu and Matt Currie – another newcomer – are in midfield, with the back three comprising Damian Hoyland, Rufus McLean and Ollie Smith, the third uncapped player named to start.
Ali Price, Blair Kinghorn and Mark Bennett are all options from the bench, while Scotland’s English Premiership players were unavailable for the match due to the uncapped international game falling outside of the regulation nine Test window.
Having seen their match versus England A in Leicester cancelled last June, this will be the first time that Scotland A will have played since February 2014 when they drew 16-16 draw with England. Chile, meanwhile, are using this match as preparation for their World Cup play-offs against the USA. It is also the first time Chile have played a Six Nations team in more than 60 years.
SCOTLAND A (vs Chile, Saturday)
15. Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors- 0 caps
14. Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
13. Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby – 0 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors- (Vice-Captain) – 5 caps
11. Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – 2 caps
10. Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
9. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
1. Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby – 5 caps
3. Javan Sebastian – Scarlets – 1 cap
4. Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – 5 caps
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps
6. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby – 0 caps
7. Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby- (captain) – 1 cap
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps
Replacements:
16. Jonny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors – 0 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 9 caps
18. Murphy Walker – Glasgow Warriors – 0 caps
19. Glen Young – Edinburgh Rugby – 0 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 18 caps
21. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 51 caps
22. Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 31 caps
23. Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 24 caps
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