Back-up stars can play

SCOTLAND skills coach Mike Blair admits the loss of Ross Ford is a major blow but is confident they have replacement hookers in form.

Ford, Scotland’s mostcapped player, suffered a pectoral injury in training last week and is expected to be out for around four months following surgery.

Glasgow’s Fraser Brown is also unavailable for the autumn Tests against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia, and Neil Cochrane was among three Edinburgh players called up by Gregor Tow n s e n d y e s t e rd ay, along with recentlydeposed captain Magnus Bradbury and prop Rory Sutherland.

Former Doncaster and Wasps hooker Cochrane could win his first cap at the age of 33 butTownsend has other options after Ford’s withdrawal.

Blair said: “It is obviously a big blow but across club rugby and international rugby a lot of teams are getting a lot of injuries. Part of the system is t hat we have guys coming in ready to take their place when they are injured.

“Ross had a very good summer tour, I thought he reinvented himself a bit there — lots of power and support play, and he really led there — but this will give other players an opportunity.

“S t u a r t M c I n a l ly, i n particular, has had a great start to the season with Edinburgh with his leadership role and George Turner has been a revelation with Glasgow.”

Bradbury was left out of the original squad around the time he was stripped of the Edinburgh captaincy months after receiving the honour.

Skills coach Mike Blair.