Scotland squad: Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell left out of 40-man group for Chile and Argentina tour | Rugby Union News

June 8, 2022 admin

Head coach Gregor Townsend says Hogg and Russell are among the players being rested ahead of a “big 12-14 months”; Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist has been named captain in Hogg’s absence; Scotland’s three Tests against Argentina are live on Sky Sports

By PA Media

Last Updated: 08/06/22 11:50am

Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg will not travel to South America with Scotland

Captain Stuart Hogg and talisman Finn Russell have been left out of Scotland’s 40-man squad for their summer tour to South America.

The pair have played a lot of rugby over the past year and were part of the British and Irish Lions squad last summer.

However, both were also among a group of six players involved in a disciplinary issue following the Italy match in the Six Nations in March.

“Hogg has played more minutes than anybody else that’s available to us,” said head coach Gregor Townsend.

“When you put that on the back of the Lions tour the year before, we believe the best thing for him and others is to rest this summer. It’s going to be a big 12-14 months with the World Cup next September. Stuart and others are going to get a break, we believe that will be a big benefit.”

Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist has been named captain in Hogg’s absence.

Chris Harris, who was also part of the Lions tour last year, is not in the squad, but fellow Lions Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Duhan van der Merwe and Zander Fagerson have all been included for a tour which will include an A team match against Chile and then three Tests against Argentina, live on Sky Sports.

“It gives us an opportunity to look at more players that perhaps wouldn’t have got into the Six Nations squad,” said Townsend, who added he will make further cuts after the Chile match.

Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Rory Sutherland and Jamie Bhatti are all back in the squad after injury, while Jonny Gray is also involved after missed the majority of the Six Nations.

Edinburgh trio Ben Muncaster, Glen Young and Matt Currie, along with London Irish’s Kyle Rowe and Glasgow Warriors duo Murphy Walker and Ollie Smith, are the uncapped players in Gregor Townsend’s squad.

Scotland’s summer tour 2022 fixtures

Chile v Scotland A – Saturday 25 June 2022, kick-off 9pm (UK time) – Estadio Santa Laura Universidad SEK, Santiago

Argentina v Scotland – Saturday 2 July 2022, kick-off 8.10pm (UK time) – Estadio 23 de Agosto, Jujuy, live on Sky Sports

Argentina v Scotland – Saturday 9 July 2022, kick-off 8.10pm (UK time) – Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, live on Sky Sports

Argentina v Scotland – Saturday 16 July 2022, kick-off 8.10pm (UK time) – The Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago Del Estero, live on Sky Sports

Scotland 2022 Summer Tour Squad

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