Rugby World Cup
Scotland forced to make squad changes for USA with John Hardie ruled out
PA Sport
September 26, 2015
Cotter: It wasn't a convincing win

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has been forced to make two changes to his team for Sunday's World Cup clash with the United States in Leeds after John Hardie was ruled out with a head knock.

The New Zealand-born flanker, who scored his first try for his adopted nation in Wednesday's crushing win over Japan, is replaced by Ryan Wilson, who moves up from the bench.

But with the Scots short on cover in the loose forwards, versatile hooker Fraser Brown has been forced to give up his starting slot in order to act as back-row back-up, with his place going to Ross Ford.

Kevin Bryce also comes into the matchday squad to take the replacement hooker role vacated by Ford. Hardie sustained his head injury during the 45-10 thrashing of the Brave Blossoms in Gloucester.

John Hardie
John Hardie© LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images
Scotland 45-10 Japan (Australia only)
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A statement from the Scottish medics said: "Having produced inconclusive results to a precautionary HIA 2 [head injury assessment] after Wednesday's win over Japan, the openside -- who remains symptom free -- was reassessed yesterday afternoon [Friday].

"It was here that, 48-hours after the game [HIA 3], Hardie failed one component of the tested elements ([Cogstate], and was subsequently considered unavailable for tomorrow's game. He will now continue with his graduated return-to-play protocol."

Scotland had initially made 10 changes to the side that beat Japan at Kingsholm.

Scotland: Hogg, Maitland, Bennett, Horne, Visser, Russell, Pyrgos (captain); Grant, Ford, Welsh, R. Gray, Gilchrist, Strokosch, Wilson, Strauss.

Replacements: Brown, Dickinson, Nel, Swinson, Bryce, Laidlaw, Weir, Scott

More to follow...

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