October 26, 2005

Graeme and Gregor called into Scotland squad

Posted by Editor on October 26, 2005 03:11 PM | 4 comments | Print | E-mail author

Graeme Morrison has been called into the Scotland squad
Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has drafted Glasgow Warriors' Graeme Morrison and Gregor Hayter into his squad for training as he steps up preparations for the autumn Test series.

The Scotland boss has also added former Glasgow favourite Andy Hall who has been in good form with his new club Newport Gwent Dragons. The squad are preparing for games against Argentina, Samoa and New Zealand next month.

Graeme's place in the squad comes at the expense of clubmate Andy Craig who is unlucky to miss out.

Frank Hadden is convinced Graeme can seize his chance to impress in training next week.

Hadden added: "The word 'potential' is always used when referring to Graeme Morrison and I am giving him an opportunity to start to fulfil that potential."

Graeme was delighted to have been included in the squad after only recently returning from a shoulder injury.

He said: "I thought that given my recent injuries I might not get a look-in again until the Six Nations as, until last week, I had not started a game for eight months so I will just see what happens.

"I had surgery on my shoulder and we initially thought I would be out for six weeks, but it turned out to be more complicated than first thought and turned into months rather than weeks.

"Then, during that time I had a bit of an accident as someone shut a door on my hand.

"When I first got injured I was pretty down in the dumps but it turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise as it meant I was able to focus on fitness and I lost some extra weight I was carrying by doing a lot of work on the bike so I am returning fitter and a few kilos lighter."

Andy Wilson, Donnie Macfadyen, Jon Petrie and Euan Murray miss out through injury.

Scotland squad for training at Murrayfield from October 31 to November 2 is:

Backs: Blair (Edinburgh Gunners), Cusiter (Border Reivers), Danielli (Border Reivers), Di Rollo (Edinburgh Gunners), Godman (Edinburgh Gunners), Andy Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), MacDougall (Border Reivers), Moffat, (Border Reivers), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Paterson (Edinburgh Gunners), Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners), Webster (Edinburgh Gunners).

Forwards: Brown (Border Reivers), Paul Dearlove (Glasgow Warriors), Douglas (Border Reivers), Ford (Border Reivers), Andy Hall (Newport Gwent Dragons), D Hall (Edinburgh Gunners), Craig Hamilton (Glasgow Warriors), Gregor Hayter (Glasgow Warriors), Hogg (Edinburgh Gunners), Jacobsen (Edinburgh Gunners), Kellock (Edinburgh Gunners), Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Scott Lawson (Glasgow Warriors), MacLeod (Border Reivers), S Murray (Edinburgh Gunners), Smith (Edinburgh Gunners), Taylor (Edinburgh Gunners), White (Sale Sharks)

Comments
Posted by Gordon on October 26, 2005 03:44 PM | Reply to this comment

Good news for the Glasgow guys in the squad - sorry to see Andy Craig drop out - he doesn't seem to have done much wrong.

Delighted to see Andy Hall in the squad - hard work and preseverance rewarded.

Posted by vicki on October 26, 2005 03:56 PM | Reply to this comment

Congratulations to G-Dog, Gregor and Haulage - some hard work paying off!

Posted by patrick on October 26, 2005 04:26 PM | Reply to this comment

How refreshing to see a national coach picking players based on current form! With that in mind, it's not a surprise that Gordon Ross has had to make way for Phil Godman.

It shows that there is healthy competition for places all over the team which ultimately can only be good for rugby at all levels in this country.

Posted by vicki on October 26, 2005 04:42 PM | Reply to this comment

Still feels harsh on Craigy, who has played on the wing for last couple of games for Glasgow because of our injury crisis, but has not put in any poor performances. I guess a few things are likely to be tried out before a final squad for the AI's is announced.

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