Scottish Rugby
Cairns set to miss out on RWC
ESPNscrum Staff
August 17, 2011
Scotland's Ben Cairns touches down against the United States, Scotland v United States, IRB Sevens, Edinburgh, Murrayfield, Scotland, May 29, 2010
Cairns is yet to play for Scotland this summer and looks set to miss out on World Cup selection © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Ben Cairns | Ryan Grant | Rob Harley
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup
Teams: Edinburgh | Scotland

Scotland centre Ben Cairns has been named in Edinburgh's side to face Sale Sharks on Friday in their pre-season clash.

The 25-year-old, who won the most recent of his seven caps two years ago, was on Tuesday omitted from Scotland's matchday squad for their final pre-World Cup Test against Italy with Graeme Morrison and Nick de Luca taking the centre berths. Another rival for the centre spot, Joe Ansbro, impressed in their first warm-up Test scoring a late try against Ireland at Murrayfield on August 6.

Instead Cairns will play in Edinburgh's friendly at Edgeley Park and appears unlikely to be included in head coach Andy Robinson's final 30-man squad for New Zealand, which will be named on Monday. Prop Ryan Grant and flanker Rob Harley featured in Glasgow Warriors' pre-season match with Newcastle last week. The trio remain part of the 38-man Scotland squad, but are the only members of the squad to not be involved in the warm-up Tests.

Edinburgh's friendly with Sale is the first chance for new boss Michael Bradley to run his eye over his charges and he has called upon the prolific Tim Visser to start on the wing. Former Sale blindside Sean Cox will return to Edgeley Park for the first time after his summer move to Edinburgh.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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