LONDON – Backrow forwards John Barclay and Blair Cowan were the two most high-profile omissions when Scotland coach Vern Cotter named his 31-man squad for this month’s World Cup yesterday.
But fellow backrow John Hardie — who only arrived in Scotland five weeks ago from New Zealand and has played just 57 minutes of international rugby after making his debut in Turin this month — was included by Kiwi coach Cotter.
Cowan’s absence was a particular surprise as the New Zealand-born forward, who plays his club rugby for London Irish, started all five of Scotland’s Six Nations matches this season.
Barclay, meanwhile ended a near two-year spell in the international wilderness when he was recalled for this month’s warm-up matches with Ireland and Italy.
But despite scoring in 48-7 rout of Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday, the Scarlets openside flanker has also been left out of the 31-man squad who will cross the border into England for the World Cup.
Gloucester scrum-half Greig Laidlaw will continue to captain the side.
Squad
Backs
Full-back: Stuart Hogg
Wings: Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser
Centres: Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Matt Scott, Richie Vernon
Fly-halves: Finn Russell, Duncan Weir
Scrum-halves: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Greig Laidlaw (capt), Henry Pyrgos
Forwards
Backrow: David Denton, John Hardie, Josh Strauss, Alasdair Strokosch, Ryan Wilson
Locks: Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Tim Swinson
Hookers: Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally
Props: Alasdair Dickinson, Ryan Grant, Gordon Reid, Willem Nel, Jon Welsh
