Two Changes To Scotland ‘A’ Squad For Irb Nations Cup

Scotland ‘A’ head coach Andy Robinson has added hooker Andrew Kelly and back row forward Calum Forrester to his squad for the 2009 IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest, Romania (Friday 12-Sunday 21 June) after the withdrawals of Ross Ford and Scott Newlands.Hooker Ford, who had been appointed vice captain for the trip, has been called into the British and Irish Lions squad.As a result, his Edinburgh team-mate Kelly, who has extensive Churchill Cup experience,  replaces him for the matches against Russia (Friday 12 June, kick off 6pm local time), Uruguay (Tuesday 16 June, kick off 4pm) and France ‘A’ (Sunday 21 June, kick off 8pm).Meanwhile, Edinburgh flanker Newlands has been ruled out with a bicep injury and has been replaced by Glasgow Warriors’ Calum Forrester.A product of GHA and the National Academy, the 22-year-old has previously represented Scotland 7s and made a handful of starts for the Warriors last season; earning him his place on the trip to eastern Europe.Robinson welcomed the new recruits and believes the pair will make a contribution during the three matches.Robinson said: “Obviously we are really pleased for Fordy (Ross Ford) to have received a Lions call-up and we are happy to have such a sound replacement in Ned (Andrew Kelly) to come in and fill his spot in the squad.”Scotty Newlands will be very disappointed to be out, but it is important we manage his injury properly. He made a great deal of progress last season with Edinburgh and it is important he returns next year injury-free.”I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen of Calum so far and Sean Lineen has also recommended him. He is a useful young back row player with plenty of potential and this trip will be a useful experience for him as part of his development.” Scotland ‘A’ squad for the IRB Nations Cup 2009: Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), David Blair (Edinburgh), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Stuart Corsar (Doncaster Knights), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (captain, Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Rob Dewey (Ulster), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors), Calum Forrester (Glasgow Warriors), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Al Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) and Simon Webster (Edinburgh).Scotland ‘A’ management team for IRB Nations CupHead Coach:              Andy Robinson Assistant Coaches:   Graham Steadman and Gregor TownsendSupport team: Gavin Scott (Video Analyst), Neill Potts (Fitness Coach) Lynsey Dingwall (Team Manager), Dr Alistair Nicol (Team Doctor), Lisa Casey and Louise Wright (Physiotherapists), John Pennycuick (Kit Manager), Andrew Sleight (Media Manager).  IRB Nations Cup 2009 (all games to be played in Bucharest)Friday, 12 June, Scotland ‘A’ v RussiaTuesday, 16 June, Scotland ‘A’ v UruguaySunday, 21 June, France ‘A’ v Scotland ‘A’