Jim Thompson Set For Scotland Debut In Argentina

Head coach Andy Robinson has today named the Scotland squad for next month’s two-Test tour of Argentina. The 27-strong squad includes the entire 22 who delivered Scotland’s victory over Ireland in the final RBS 6 Nations Championship match at Croke Park. In addition there is one uncapped player, 25-year-old Edinburgh back Jim Thompson, who has won promotion after some encouraging displays in the Scotland A team and for Edinburgh, during his two seasons with the capital side.In total, eight Edinburgh players feature in the squad. Aside from Thompson, the number includes Edinburgh captain Mike Blair, Phil Godman, Ross Ford, Jim Hamilton, Allan Jacobsen, Nick De Luca and Edinburgh’s Player of the Year, Alan MacDonald. Audio interview with Jim Thompson available NOWHead coach Andy Robinson has today named the Scotland squad for next month’s two-Test tour of Argentina. The 27-strong squad includes the entire 22 who delivered Scotland’s victory over Ireland in the final RBS 6 Nations Championship match at Croke Park. In addition there is one uncapped player, 25-year-old Edinburgh back Jim Thompson, who has won promotion after some encouraging displays in the Scotland A team and for Edinburgh, during his two seasons with the capital side.In total, eight Edinburgh players feature in the squad. Aside from Thompson, the number includes Edinburgh captain Mike Blair, Phil Godman, Ross Ford, Jim Hamilton, Allan Jacobsen, Nick De Luca and Edinburgh’s Player of the Year, Alan MacDonald. Robinson has selected three scrum-halves for Argentina, with Mike Blair and Rory Lawson joining captain Chris Cusiter. We want to involve all three. Rory has been playing well and both Mike and Chris have been bothered by niggling injuries over the last few weeks, he explained. Robinson may yet add an additional player to the squad for Argentina. Preparations for both that tour and the IRB Nations Cup will include a Scotland XV against a Japan Select. That match will be played at Murrayfield on Tuesday 1 June with a 7pm kick-off. Admission to that game is FREE. Scotland’s matches in Argentina are as follows: First Test: Saturday 12 June Argentina v Scotland, Tucuman, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST. Second Test: Saturday 19 June Argentina v Scotland, Mar del Plata, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST Both matches will be shown live on BBC2 Scotland and will be available to viewers throughout the rest of the UK via the BBC website and red button. There will also be live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland. The Scotland squad depart on Friday 4 June. Scotland squad for tour of Argentina Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow Warriors), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) and Jim Thompson (Edinburgh). Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) and Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester). _