Scotland
Gilchrist to captain Scotland in November Tests
ESPN Staff
October 20, 2014
Grant Gilchrist in action against South Africa © Getty Images
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Edinburgh's Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland in their November Test series.

Gilchrist, 24, captained Scotland twice in the summer and he will lead them against Argentina, New Zealand and Tonga in November. He heads up a 33-man squad but there is no place for Saracens flanker Kelly Brown, their second-row Jim Hamilton nor Scarlets' John Barclay while the only uncapped player named is Glasgow's Mark Bennett.

"Argentina will offer us a very stern test, especially scrum time," Scotland coach Vern Cotter said. "They have good variety and move the ball well from nine, through the middle of the paddock and out the back. The All Blacks have just won the Rugby Championship and are the best team in the world, so we'll have to be on our toes.

"They also have more variety in their kicking game so covering space in the back field will be important. Defensively, we're going to get tested, which is good because we want to show that our defence has improved.

"Tonga will be the final big test psychologically, having come through two big games, to play away from Murrayfield, and needing to put in a good performance at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock. It's essential that we show maturity, mental strength and adaptability throughout the series."

In addition to the 33-man squad Cotter has named, a further three players will train with the squad. Scottish rugby academy prop Zander Fagerson, 18, and Edinburgh Rugby duo Hamish Watson (back-row) and Allan Dell (prop) will join the group.

Scotland:

Forwards: Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Castres), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Robert Harley, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (both Glasgow Warriors) Alasdair Strokosch (USA Perpignan), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife, Tom Heathcote (both Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

Invited to train with the squad: Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby).

Not considered through injury: David Denton (returning from injury, Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant (returning from injury, Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (knee, London Wasps), Ross Rennie (knee, Bristol Rugby), Matt Scott (shoulder, Edinburgh Rugby), Jon Welsh, Ryan Wilson (both returning from injury, Glasgow Warriors)

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