THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
GLASGOW will be without their newly-capped hooker Fergus Thomson for the start of the Magners League campaign after it was agreed that he needed a shoulder operation.
The 24-year-old player made his Test debut off the bench against Ireland in the recent RBS Six Nations Championship and was handed his first start in the final match against Italy when Ross Ford was ruled out by injury. The Scotland coaching team suADVERTISEMENT rprised some by opting to take Dougie Hall as second-choice to Ford on the Argentina tour in June instead of Thomson, but though it was not said at the time it is understood that this was to enable Thomson to undergo full treatment on his shoulder and rest, while also allowing Hall a return to the international scene after a lengthy lay-off.

Instead, however, the paucity of hooking resources was such that Thomson was selected to lead the Scotland A squad in the Churchill Cup, where they lost the final in Chicago to England. Had he undergone an operation before leaving on holiday it is probable that he would have recovered in time for the start of the Magners League campaign.

It is expected that he will have surgery within the next week. Glasgow reported that Hall and Eric Milligan are both fully fit, however, and will clearly be hoping the experienced Hall can provide the kind of lead Thomson did in his absence this time last year, with Milligan grasping the opportunity to press his claims for a more regular role in the match-day squads.

Another young Glasgow forward heading for surgery is James Eddie, the lock-cum-back row who made a promising impact last season. Eddie is also expected to have treatment for a shoulder injury and may not be fit for the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Glasgow's professionals continued to build bridges with the amateur game in and around the city on Sunday with their annual fun day and touch tournament at Whitecraigs.

This article was posted on 29-Jul-2008, 07:31 by Hugh Barrow.