Scotland's Nel to miss Wallabies Test

Oct 25, 2016 - 12:22 PM Tighthead prop WP Nel has been ruled out of Scotland's squad for next month's internationals with the Wallabies, Argentina and Georgia because of a neck injury.

The absence of the South-African born Nel, 30, was the main surprise in the 31-man squad named on Tuesday by coach Vern Cotton.

Nel played 65 minutes in Edinburgh's win over Harlequins on Saturday after missing games through a neck complaint.

Another Edinburgh player, Rory Sutherland, is also ruled out through injury, but the squad includes five players from the English Premiership despite a row over funding that led the clubs to vote to stop them appearing for their country.

Captain Greig Laidlaw, Moray Low, Duncan Taylor, Sean Maitland and Tim Visser have all been included for the games against Australia, Argentina and Georgia.

"This is an important season for this group of players who are determined to be successful in a Scotland jersey, and have a clear will to win," Cotton said.

"We have a big emphasis on how we play in front of our home crowd and have three exciting challenges facing us this November."

Scotland host Australia at Murrayfield on November 12.

Scotland squad:

Forwards: Allan Dell, Alasdair Dickinson, Zander Fagerson, Moray Low, Gordon Reid; Ross Ford, Fraser Brown, Stuart McInally; Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Tim Swinson; John Barclay, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.

Backs: Greig Laidlaw (c), Henry Pyrgos; Pete Horne, Finn Russell; Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Huw Jones, Duncan Taylor; Damien Hoyland, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser; Stuart Hogg

Source: AAP