Rugby

Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan pull out of Scotland squad

Vern Cotter has been boosted by the return of Tim Wisser and Peter Horne for Italy tie

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has welcomes back Tim Visser and Peter Horne for his side’s Six Nations tie against Italy. Photograph: Reuters

Mon Feb 22 2016 - 12:43

London Irish duo Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan have pulled out of the Scotland squad for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy through injury.

Wing Maitland missed the 27-23 defeat to Wales with a hamstring strain while back-rower Cowan lasted just 10 minutes of the match in Cardiff after suffering a concussion shortly after making his introduction as a second-half substitute.

But neither ‘Kilted Kiwi’ has recovered in time to face the Azzurri in Rome.

Also dropping out of head coach Vern Cotter's training squad are Glasgow trio Alex Allan, Chris Fusaro — both with head knocks — and Pat MacArthur, who is ruled out with groin and thing issues.

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However, Cotter has been boosted by the return to fitness of Harlequins wing Tim Visser and Warriors centre Peter Horne after both men completed their recoveries from hamstring and foot injuries.

Cotter has also called up Glasgow's scrum-half Grayson Hart, flankers Rob Harley and Ryan Wilson as well as Edinburgh's uncapped hooker George Turner and back-row Hamish Watson to their training camp at BT Murrayfield.

Scotland: Forwards: Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, George Turner (all Edinburgh Rugby), Front-row: Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs), Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby), John Barclay (Scarlets), David Denton (Bath), John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby), Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby)

Backs: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Grayson Hart (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Finn Russell, Duncan Weir (both Glasgow Warriors), Mark Bennett, Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Sean Lamont, Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Harlequins), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps)

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