Cairns named in Scotland rugby squad

EDINBURGH utility back Ben Cairns was today among three uncapped players included in Scotland's rugby squad for next month's two-Test tour of Argentina along with Glasgow prop Moray Low and winger Thom Evans.

Elsewhere there is a place for Allan Jacobsen, despite the Edinburgh prop being sidelined with groin damage since the end of the Six Nations Championship while Glasgow hooker Dougie Hall also returns after a long injury absence.

But, while their experience will be welcomed in a squad where there are two back places and three forward slots left open until after this weekend, coach Frank Hadden has been prepared to gamble with the shock omission of Edinburgh centre/wing Simon Webster. Also, there is no disguising the fact that unavailability has hit hard.

Among those staying behind are French-based forwards Nathan Hines and Simon Taylor as their clubs complete domestic competitions.

With the list of injury related absentees comprising Sean Lamont, Jason White, Jim Hamilton, Scott Lawson and Ross Rennie coach Hadden has also omitted Edinburgh props Gavin Kerr and Craig Smith as well as Glasgow hooker Fergus Thomson.

Altogether a dozen players who figured in the Six Nations series are missing and only five from outwith Scotland's two professional teams are chosen.

Here it seems the five vacancies will be filled from Edinburgh and Glasgow since a statement issued by the SRU specifically referred to monitoring concluding Magner's League matches this weekend.

The tour party will be captained by Mike Blair and Hadden says: "We are fully aware of the size of the challenge but it's one we're looking forward to. Argentina have made enormous progress over the last ten years and thoroughly deserved to be ranked third best side in the world.

"We ran them close in the quarter-final of the World Cup and we're fully committed to reversing that result in June.

"I'm delighted that the bulk of this squad will be home-based players, which is a reflection on the recent form of both of our professional teams and the quality of the development work which has gone on in our country over a number of years."

Having been on stand-by in Rome when the Six Nations series ended for Scotland, Cairns knows that, regardless of whether he gets the nod for the June 7 and 14 encounters, potential recognised in a "most promising newcomer" award after his debut season at Edinburgh in 2006-07 is well on the way to being fulfilled.

Yet, on his own admission, it took a warning shot across the bows to pull him from an early season torpor and ensure fresh targets were set.

He said: "I felt my form at the start of this season was very mixed. They say the second season is always the most difficult when you have to cope with opponents who know a little bit more about you and the surprise element has gone. Nevertheless, it was when I was left out of the side for the visit of Llanelli to Murrayfield in November that I really felt the hurt that caused me to bounce back.

"I react to disappointments by going away and thinking things through until I have a chance to look at a video and speak with the coaches. Maybe I should learn to deal with setbacks a bit better; at least I am through the worst ready to perform better when we regather on a Monday."

Squad: Backs: Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) (C), plus two players who will be selected later this month

Forwards: Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Dave Callam (Edinburgh Rugby), Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), plus three players who will be selected later this month.