BATH captain Andy Nicol has become the latest player to withdraw from Scotland's summer tour party after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the dying stages of his side's defeat by Newcastle on Monday night that will keep him sidelined for eight weeks. His replacement will not be decided upon until later in the week.
Given the number of players who have now pulled out of the squad, it was less than surprising that the SRU yesterday announced that Kelso flanker Adam Roxburgh and Heriot's FP full back Hugh Gilmour would not be allowed to take part in their clubs' play-off on Saturday for the final place in next season's first division. Roxburgh observed: ''I have been told that Scotland want me fresh and fit for the tour and they don't want me picking up a stupid injury.''
England, meanwhile, announced yesterday that Northampton scrum half Matt Dawson will captain his country in the southern hemisphere. Having been given the job because of the unavailability of England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and Lions captain Martin Johnson, he leads a squad that contains 17 uncapped players.
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