Williams cuts back Scotland squad

Scotland coach Matt Williams has reduced his squad ahead of Saturday’s Autumn Test against Australia to 23 players.

All but one of the 22 who were on duty last weekend when Scotland posted a record 100-8 victory over Japan in Perth remain for the Hampden Park clash on Saturday.

But of the seven additional call-ups following that success only two have been invited to remain in the squad.

Andy Craig and Bruce Douglas were the two who survived the cut, with Scott Gray, Alastair Kellock, Stuart Moffat, Sam Pinder and Simon Webster not so fortunate.

Douglas, who plays for The Borders, is a replacement for prop Craig Smith, who is the only one of the 22 on duty against Japan to drop out.

Williams is set to name his starting line-up tomorrow lunchtime.

Scotland squad: M Blair, A Craig, C Cusiter, A Henderson, B Hinshelwood, S Lamont, G Morrison, D Parks, C Paterson, G Ross, H Southwell, G Bulloch (capt), B Douglas, S Grimes, N Hines, A Hogg, A Jacobsen, G Kerr, D Macfadyen, S MacLeod, J Petrie, R Russell, J White.