Scotland recall Kiwi wing for Nations Cup

NEWS: Scotland recalled Saracens wing Sean Maitland to their squad for the upcoming Nations Cup campaign.

New Zealand-born Maitland was dropped for their victorious Six Nations finale at Wales last weekend after he was involved in the breach of coronavirus protocols that led to the cancellation of the Barbarians' game against England.

But the 32-year-old has now been recalled along with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, a member of the Exeter Chiefs side that recently completed an English Premiership and European Champions Cup double.

Scrumhalf Hidalgo-Clyne won the last of his 12 Scotland caps two years ago.

"We welcome Sam Hidalgo-Clyne into camp after a successful time with Exeter Chiefs and he will add further competition at scrumhalf," said Scotland coach Gregor Townsend in a Scottish Rugby statement.

Stand-offs Finn Russell and Adam Hastings both sustained injuries in the concluding Six Nations match against Wales in Llanelli on Saturday and as a result, will miss the rest of the 2020 Nations Cup campaign on account of groin and shoulder injuries respectively.

Hastings will require surgery and could be out for up to four months, while Russell’s groin injury can be managed through rest and rehab and he will return to the care of his club, Racing 92, with recovery time expected around two months.

"It's obviously disappointing to lose two quality players like Finn and Adam, who had both been playing well," added former Scotland playmaker Townsend.

"However, this provides an opportunity to other players to come into the team and lead our attack.

"The squad adapted well at the weekend to the enforced changes and we have belief in those in our squad that can step up to play at stand-off."

Townsend's men begin their Nations Cup campaign at Italy a week on Saturday before also playing France and Fiji in a tournament that replaces the traditional end of year Tests.

Scotland squad:

Forwards: Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Blair Cowan, Scott Cummings, Cornell du Preez, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Gray, Nick Haining, Oli Kebble, Stuart McInally , Willem Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson

Backs: Darcy Graham, Nick Grigg, Chris Harris, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Stuart Hogg (captain), George Horne, Sam Johnson, Huw Jones , Blair Kinghorn, James Lang, Sean Maitland, Ali Price, Scott Steele, Duhan van der Merwe, Duncan Weir