Kerr agony for Scots

Leeds prop Gavin Kerr has been forced to fly home from Scotland’s World Cup campaign after suffering a neck injury during last night’s 51-9 defeat to France at Telstra Stadium.

Edinburgh’s Allan Jacobsen has already been called up as Kerr’s replacement and is due to link up with Ian McGeechan’s squad in Cronulla on Tuesday evening.

Kerr was forced off during the interval of last night’s game and it was feared the 26-year-old’s first World Cup campaign was over.

Those worries were realised after a further examination at Sydney’s North Shore Hospital today, which confirmed Kerr, who was winning his 10th cap against France, was suffering from a bulging disc in his neck.

“There has been progress but Gavin is unable to continue in the tournament,” confirmed Scotland team doctor James Robson.

“He feels better today but will require further assessment on his return to the UK.”

Jacobsen was unfortunate to miss out on selection for McGeechan’s original squad having produced an outstanding performance in the final warm-up international against Ireland last month.

It was the third cap for the 25-year-old Edinburgh-born player, who becomes the second new arrival in the Scotland squad following the arrival of Cammy Mather as replacement for knee- ligament injury victim Andrew Mower.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Martin Leslie’s appeal against a his record 12-match ban will not be heard until Tuesday at the earliest.

The 31-year-old back-row is facing the end of his international career unless he can overturn the verdict.