Cairns Named In Scotland Squad

Ben Cairns has been named in Scotland’s 30-man squad for the summer tour to Argentina while scrum half Mike Blair has been appointed captain for the two-match series.Cairns, 22, has been rewarded for his polished displays in the black and red over the course of the season where he has been a virtual ever present for Edinburgh.The former Royal High student, who played his club rugby with Currie, has made 22 appearances for Edinburgh this season, including one as captain, and has scored four tries.There are nine Edinburgh players already selected in the squad including stand-off Phil Godman.Ben is in the team for next season and you can follow suit by committing to a great value season ticket. Prices are _150 for Adults, _80 for Concessions and _30 for Juniors. For more details and to reserve your seat for what promises to be a phenomenal season call 0131 346 5180.Cairns is joined by Glasgow Warriors duo, wing Thom Evans and prop Moray Low, both 23, in the squad for the two Tests against the world’s third ranked team._Elsewhere in the squad there is a recall after a prolonged injury absence for hooker Dougie Hall, while two extra backs and three additional forwards are still to be selected as the coaches examine final Magners League games this weekend and also monitor the recovery of players from injury._Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: We are fully aware of the size of the challenge but it’s one were looking forward to._ Argentina have made enormous progress over the last ten years and thoroughly deserved to be ranked third best side in the world._We ran them close in the quarter-final of the World Cup and were fully committed to reversing that result in June._As previously announced Hadden will be assisted by pro-team head coaches Sean Lineen (Glasgow Warriors) and Andy Robinson (Edinburgh Rugby), while the expertise of Mark Bitcon (strength and conditioning), Duncan Hodge (kicking) and Alan Tait (defence) will also be on hand._Hadden noted that the selections of Cairns, Evans and Low was a reward for their form in the pro-teams strong ending to the Magners League and also for their displays earlier in the season in the Scotland A victories over their Italian and Irish counterparts._Im delighted that the bulk of this squad will be home-based players, which is a reflection on the recent form of both of our professional teams and the quality of the development work which has gone on in our country over a number of years, he added._Blair captains the tour party, his leadership having impressed Hadden since he took on the added responsibility in February. _Experience is a precious quality at international level and we will look to Mike and a number of our seasoned professionals to set the tone on this tour, Hadden said. _Scotland squad (sponsor Murray) to play two Test matches in Argentina 7 June (Rosario) and 14 June (Buenos Aires): _Backs Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN, plus two players who will be selected later this month_Forwards Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Dave Callam (Edinburgh Rugby), Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), plus three players who will be selected later this month