Confusion reigns on Scots' second row selection

Scotland coach Matt Williams was no closer to clearing the confusion over who will play in the second row in Saturday’s second Test against Australia after naming both Iain Fullarton and Craig Hamilton as possible partners to captain Scott Murray.

With Stuart Grimes suspended but facing an International Rugby Board Appeals Committee hearing later in the day (starting 9am Irish time), Williams was forced to name his team with doubt still remaining over its final make-up.

Although privately intimating their confidence that Grimes will be cleared, Williams insisted IRB regulations prevented them from naming the Newcastle lock in the side so he bracketed Fullarton and Hamilton together for the number five shirt.

Murray was deemed fit enough to be included after suffering a hip injury in last Sunday’s 35-15 defeat to Australia. The team is otherwise unchanged from that which put up a brave display in Melbourne.

“The issue in the second row we are leaving as a late decision,” said Williams.

“We have an appeal on Stuart Grimes and it would be improper of us to suggest he is part of the team because he is under suspension.

“We can’t select him. We would be breaking IRB rules. We have to stay within the process and laws of the game which is what we are doing.

“If the appeal is successful we will be in a position to review that. We would like Stuart to play if he is cleared.”

If the appeals panel was to uphold Grimes’ two-match suspension – imposed for “trampling” on David Lyons in Sunday’s first Test – Williams would then have to finalise which of his two replacements would start alongside Murray.

“We are still deciding,” he added.