Head coach Andy Robinson has today named seven uncapped players in his 34-strong Scotland squad for training at St Andrews next week in preparation for the first EMC Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield next month.
Two of the potential debutants were part of Scotland’s unbeaten three match tour of Australasia during the summer – Edinburgh Rugby back-row forward and former Scotland age-grade captain Stuart McInally; and Glasgow Warriors’ back Alex Dunbar, who is a product of the Annan and Selkirk clubs. The others confirm Glasgow Warriors’ stronger start to the RaboDirect PRO12 league as backs Peter Horne, Peter Murchie, Tommy Seymour and Henry Pyrgos are enlisted alongside the Edinburgh Rugby lock Grant Gilchrist.

Robinson declared: “It’s always an exciting time when the Scotland squad comes together ahead of the first Test match of the season.
“It’s some four months since Scotland last played an international so when the squad reconvenes there’ll be an element of renewing acquaintances and reigniting the spark and spirit that was such a key part of our success on our summer tour.
“New Zealand are formidable opponents. They do the basics exceptionally well and play with a pace and ruthlessness. It’s no co-incidence that they are the best team in the world.
“We must look to build on the physical commitment of our players against Australia, Fiji and Samoa. As ever the Scotland supporters are right behind us and with more than 55,000 tickets sold already for our game against New Zealand, the players are determined to give their all.”
The squad will convene at St Andrews on Monday (29 October) for the three-day camp and then meet up in Edinburgh on Monday 5 November to begin detailed build-up to the New Zealand match.
Following the New Zealand game Andy Robinson, senior assistant coach Scott Johnson and defence coach Matt Taylor will consider afresh the squad for the two subsequent EMC Tests – against South Africa at Murrayfield on Saturday 17 November (kick-off 2.30pm) and v Tonga at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen on Saturday 24 November (kick-off 3pm).
Scotland squad (sponsor RBS) for training camp at St Andrews 29-31 October in preparation for the EMC Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday 11 November (kick-off 2.30pm)
Backs: Mike Blair (Brive), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne and Ruaridh Jackson (all Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw (both Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Peter Murchie, Henry Pyrgos (both Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Ross Ford and Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (London Irish), Stuart McInally and Ross Rennie (both Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) and Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby).
Not considered due to injury:
Backs – Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Cusiter, Rory Lamont, Graeme Morrison (all Glasgow Warriors), Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors). Forwards – Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Stevie Lawrie (Edinburgh Rugby), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur and Jon Welsh (all Glasgow Warriors)
Tickets for all three EMC Tests can be bought now online at www.scottishrugby.org; via the 24-hour credit card hotline 0844 335 3933 or in person from the Scottish Rugby ticket centre at Murrayfield Stadium which is open 9am-5pm, Mondays to Fridays, and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.
Ticket prices:
Scotland v New Zealand, Sunday 11 November, Murrayfield, kick-off 2.30pm
Adults: £20, £30 and £50
Under-18s and students: £10
Under-18s: £15 and £25
Scotland v South Africa, Saturday 17 November, Murrayfield, kick-off 2.30pm
Adults: £20, £30, £50
Under-18s and students: £10, £15 and £25
Scotland v Tonga, Saturday 24 November, Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, kick-off 3pm
Adults: £15, £25 and £40
Under-18s and students: £7.50, £12.50 and £20
Special offers: EMC Tests’ Pass – An adult can watch Scotland play both New Zealand and South Africa from £35
Group offer for schools and all clubs – Eight under-18s with two adults can attend an EMC Test for £40.
Notes to editors: About EMC: EMC is proud to continue its relationship with Scottish Rugby for a third year as both Title Sponsor of the EMC Tests in November and The Official IT Partner of Scottish Rugby. EMC Computer Systems (UK) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC), the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organisations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.EMC.com.
EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

This article was posted on 24-Oct-2012, 09:53 by Hugh Barrow.