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Scotland replace rogue Barbarian Sean Maitland ahead of Wales match
By PA
Sean Maitland will not join up with the Scotland squad ahead of Saturday’s clash in Wales following his involvement in the breach of coronavirus protocols that saw Barbarians’ game against England cancelled.
Maitland was among the players whose trip to a restaurant undermined attempts to maintain a hygiene bubble.
Ahead of Scotland’s final Guinness Six Nations clash, head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We are working hard to ensure our training camp remains secure in terms of Covid protocols and, as such, Sean’s actions last week with the Barbarians mean that he won’t be able to rejoin our group now and we will review the situation in the coming weeks.”
Glasgow winger Ratu Tagive has joined up with the squad ahead of Saturday’s game in Llanelli after another winger, Damien Hoyland, received treatment for an ankle injury in hospital.
Hooker Ewan Ashman has returned to Sale, Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist has been ruled out of the autumn series with a groin injury but Matt Fagerson remains with the squad after suffering an ankle injury against Georgia on Friday.
Exeter players Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner have joined up with the squad after adding the Gallagher Premiership title to their Heineken Champions Cup win.
Townsend added: “Ratu was unlucky to have missed out a couple of weeks ago, picking up an injury on the weekend we selected our training squad.
“It’s great to have him with us now in addition to our three Exeter Chiefs – Jonny, Sam and Stuart.”
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i think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.
Go to commentsSmith is playing a different game with the rest of the backs struggling to understand. That's the problem with so called playmakers, if nobody gets what they're doing then it often just leads to a turnover. It gets worse when Borthwick changes one of them, which is why they don't score points at the end. Sometimes having a brilliant playmaker can be problematic if a team cannot be built around them. Once again Borthwick seems lacking in either coaching or selection. I can't help but think it's the latter coupled with pressure to select the big name players.
Lastly, his forward replacements are poor and exposed either lack of depth or selection pressure. Cole hemorrhages scrum penalties whenever he comes on, opponents take advantage of the England scrum and close out the game. Is that the best England can offer?
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