Cotter seeks continuity in rotated Scotland selection

Head Coach Vern Cotter has sought continuity in the rotated Scotland squad named for this Sunday’s Rugby World Cup round two Test against USA at Elland Road, Leeds (27 September, kick-off 2.30pm) – live on ITV.The entire bench from Wednesday’s win over Japan (45-10) has been promoted into the starting line-up meaning that – despite making ten changes to the starting XV – there are just four new faces in the 23-man squad; Tim Visser and Alasdair Strokosch who start at wing and back-row respectively, and replacements Tim Swinson (lock) and Duncan Weir (stand-off).Cotter said: “We said from the start that we’d need the whole group of 31 players for this campaign. We’ve known this schedule for a long time and have tried to keep continuity in selection, while also introducing fresh legs to what will be another very physical challenge this Sunday. – Scotland Head Coach Vern CotterScrum-half Henry Pyrgos – who captained against Ireland and scored twice in the summer Tests – will lead the side as one of four changes to the starting backs.He comes in to partner try-scoring stand-off Finn Russell, who made his debut against the Eagles in last summer’s 24-6 win in Houston, Texas.The Glasgow Warriors duo begin a club connection that is continued by the introduction of centre Peter Horne alongside Mark Bennett, who scored twice against Japan.The changes to the back division are completed by the introduction of Sean Maitland and Visser alongside full-back Stuart Hogg.In the pack Ryan Grant, Fraser Brown and Jon Welsh make a straight swap for front-row colleagues Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and Willem Nel.Lock Richie Gray starts in place of brother Jonny – with Swinson taking the vacated place on the bench – and, in the back-row, Strokosch and Josh Strauss come in for Ryan Wilson and David Denton.Cotter added: “I was pleased with both the commitment and composure against Japan, particularly towards the end of the game, however we are always working and looking for things on which to improve.”Hopefully we’ll see the result of that this Sunday in another very important Test match in our Pool.”Scotland team to face USA at Elland Road, Leeds this Sunday (27 September), kick-off 2.30pm – live on ITV15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps; 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points14 Sean Maitland (London Irish) – 17 caps; 2 tries, 10 points13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps; 5 tries, 25 points12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps, 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 21 caps; 9 tries, 45 points10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps; 2 tries, 2 cons, 14 points9 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN – 16 caps; 4 tries, 20 points1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps2 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps3 Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 8 caps, 1 try, 5 points4 Richie Gray (Castres) – 47 caps, 2 tries, 10 points5 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 11 caps, 1 try, 5 points6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 46 caps, 2 tries, 10 points7 John Hardie (unattached) – 3 caps, 1 try, 5 points8 Josh Strauss  (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 capSubstitutes16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 90 caps; 2 tries, 10 points17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 48 caps, 2 tries, 10 points18 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps21 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 42 caps; 3 tries, 48 cons, 92 pens, 387 points22 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps, 1 try, 6 cons, 9 pens, 1 drop, 47 points23 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 30 caps, 3 tries, 15 points