McGeechan names two new caps

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has drafted two uncapped players into his squad for the tour of South Africa and the Lloyds TSB tour match against the Barbarians at Murrayfield.

Flanker Andrew Dall and centre Simon Webster, both from Edinburgh, have been given the chance to impress McGeechan ahead of the forthcoming World Cup at the end of the year.

Scotland go to South Africa from May 29 to June 15 but before that they will play the Barbarians on May 28.

“I’m delighted and a wee bit surprised as well because I didn’t get that many starts for Edinburgh over the season but it’s good to know that selectors are monitoring players progress anyway,” said Dall.

“I reckon I’ve probably had four starts this season but I feel I’ve been playing all right. The advantage I’ve got is that I might be a wee bit fresher than some of the other guys.”

Hartlepool-born Webster had to withdraw from the Scotland squad against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations championship because of a freak head injury but the Edinburgh player admitted he was delighted to be involved again.

He said: “To be honest, my summer would have been awful had I not managed to get back into the squad.

“I was just so disappointed with the whole Italy thing and getting knocked out during training in the lead up to that game and that made me so desperate to get back involved.”

McGeechan also recalled Glasgow rugby centre Andrew Henderson and the Chatham-born player said: “I’m very pleased to be back in the Scotland squad.

“It was good to be involved with the A team during the season and I was just determined to be challenging for a place with the national team.”