TOONY TOUR SKIPPER OUT
Skipper McNally ruled out of tour opener v Canadians
SKIPPER Stuart McInally has been ruled out of Scotland’s trans-Atlantic tour opener against Canada.
But boss Gregor Townsend insisted he is in the running to be back for the clashes with USA and Argentina.
Edinburgh hooker McInally has failed to shake off the effects of a calf strain.
His clubmate Grant Gilchrist will lead the side in Edmonton on Saturday, with Glasgow’s Fraser Brown taking the No.2 jersey.
Townsend, who is also handing a first cap to utility back James Lang, said: “Stuart pulled up the day before we left so it was a real concern.
“We had a feeling he wouldn’t make the first match but he trained really well and did everything the medics were looking for him to do. Then on Sunday it tightened up again and we BY DAVID KELSO would not take any risks with him, either for this game or the other two.
“However, we believe he will be available after this weekend.”
The experienced Ruaridh Jackson slots in at stand-off, giving Townsend the scope to blood Harlequins kid Lang in the No.12 berth.
The coach said: “James’ skill set suits the way we want to play in that position.
“We have been impressed with him at training.”
Townsend admitted one of his prime missions is finding the best option to be deputy to Finn Russell in the build up to next year’s World Cup in Japan.
He said: “There are a lot of contenders, the latest of whom is Adam Hastings.
“We want to give him the opportunity on Saturday off the bench and see how he performs at this level.
“Adam is in his first year as a full-time professional and he has got better every time we’ve seen him play for Glasgow.
“I thought he performed really well during the Six Nations period.
“I know Dave Rennie and his coaching team at the Warriors have also been impressed with him off the field when he hasn’t been starting.
“He’s a young player. He doesn’t need to prove anything. He just needs to keep on improving.”