Rugby: Taylor stakes claim

Edinburgh Reivers back-row Simon Taylor will get the chance to stake his place for an international recall when he starts for Scotland A against Wales at Myerside on Friday.

Taylor, who was in outstanding form for the Reivers earlier this season, made his Scotland debut against the USA in November before breaking a bone in his hand.

However, he has now returned to full fitness and takes over at number eight from Narbonne’s Stuart Reid.

Taylor’s call is one of four changes to the team beaten 15-8 by France in Blois two weeks ago.

Shaun Longstaff replaces James Craig on the wing, while Taylor’s Reivers team-mate Gordon Ross comes in at stand-off for Mark McKenzie.

Also included is Northampton hooker Steve Brotherstone, who was forced to pull out of the senior squad for the Six Nations opener against France with a knee injury and was not deemed fit enough for a recall.

Team: G Metcalfe (Glasgow Caledonians); J Steel (Glasgow Caledonians), D Officer (Edinburgh Reivers), K Utterson (Edinburgh Reivers), S Longstaff (Glasgow Caledonians); G Ross (Edinburgh Reivers), G Burns (Edinburgh Reivers); P Johnstone (Bristol), S Brotherstone (Northampton), B Stewart (Edinburgh Reivers), D Weir (Newcastle, cpt), I Fullarton (Edinburgh Reivers), D Mackinnon (Edinburgh Reivers), A Mower (Newcastle), S Taylor (Edinburgh Reivers).

Replacements: S Scott (Edinburgh Reivers), A Jacobsen (Edinburgh Reivers), S Griffiths (Glasgow Caledonians), R Reid (Glasgow Caledonians), I Fairley (Edinburgh Reivers), G Shiel (Edinburgh Reivers), J Mayer (Bristol).