Gray gets first Scotland call

Bath back-row forward Scott Gray will earn his first cap for Scotland in the Staffware Challenge match against the Barbarians on Saturday.

The 26-year-old, who joined Bath from Australian rugby league side Brisbane Broncos, previously played for Zimbabwe Under-21s.

The flanker qualifies for Scotland through his father, Donald John Gray, who was born in Barrhead in Renfrewshire.

Scotland coach Matt Williams could also blood Stephen Cranston and Gareth Morton of The Borders after both were named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Ross Beattie of Gwent Dragons has been forced to withdraw from the summer tour party with a thigh injury.

His place will be taken by Edinburgh Gunners prop Craig Smith for the Tests against Australia and Samoa.

Williams said: “We felt that we had enough cover for our back row with the number of flankers and locks already in the squad.

“So we wanted some extra front-row cover instead and decided to call up Craig.”

Smith has not featured at senior international level since the 2002 summer tour of Canada and USA where he won his two caps.

Euan Murray had a quad strain and misses the game against the Barbarians but will travel Down Under.

The backs are unchanged from the team which lost in the last Six Nations game against Ireland in March.

But, in the pack, Sale Sharks' Iain Fullarton replaces Stuart Grimes at lock and Cameron Mather and Gray start in the back-row.

Number eight Simon Taylor is still out injured, while Jason White joins Grimes as part of the advance party leaving today for Scotland’s summer tour.