Glasgow Warriors captain, Alastair Kellock, will lead the Scotland ‘A’ team this week as they prepare for an historic game in Glasgow.
The ‘A’ team assembled in Edinburgh today to get ready to take on the full Georgian national side, on their first visit to the UK, at Firhill on Friday night (14 November, ko 6.00pm).

Head coach Andy Robinson has selected a 20-man-squad which will be supplemented by players from the senior national squad as Frank Hadden’s men continue preparations for Saturday’s Bank of Scotland Corporate Test against world champions South Africa.

Al skippers the ‘A’ squad in which nine other Warriors and sevens full internationalists are listed.

On his appointment, Al said: “It’s an honour to captain the ‘A’ team who have such a good record both at home and away. There are a few guys in this squad that were disappointed not to make the Scotland squad, including me, so it’s up to us now to use this game at a platform to get back in there.

“I’m always very impressed with the noise levels at Firhill for Glasgow games, so let’s hope for more of the same on Friday night.”

Looking forward to the occasion, Robinson added: “It’s a huge honour to be playing the full Georgian national side. It’s also a massive opportunity for this group of players to stake a claim for a Test jersey with the final autumn international against Canada in Aberdeen the following weekend. Twelve of last year’s starting XV against Italy ‘A’ went onto play for Scotland in the subsequent internationals.”

Last season, the ‘A’ team won four of their five internationals (against Italy ‘A’, Ireland ‘A’, Canada and Argentina Pumas), their only defeat coming against England Saxons in the final of the Barclays Churchill Cup in June.

There are three new faces in the squad, with Toulon hooker and captain Phil Fitzgerald being called-up alongside Glasgow Warriors youngsters, stand-off/fullback Ruaridh Jackson and back-row Richie Vernon.

Scotland ‘A’ training squad for the international fixture against Georgia at Firhill on Friday 14 November (ko 6.00pm)…
Forwards: Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Fitzgerald (Toulon), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, A Kelly (Edinburgh), Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan Macdonald (Edinburgh), Dan Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)

Backs: David Blair (Edinburgh), Rob Dewey (Ulster), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Mark Robertson (Edinburgh), Gordon Ross (Saracens), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)

Glasgow Warriors season ticket holders will be granted free entry using their season ticket booklet (a voucher from the booklet will be redeemed at the turnstiles).

This article was posted on 10-Nov-2008, 21:04 by Hugh Barrow.