TANDY RULES OUT CALL-UPS AFTER INJURY BLOWS

SCOTLAND have no plans to call up any additional cover despite injuries ruling Adam Hastings and Huw Jones out of the upcoming tour of Argentina. Hastings has a hamstring problem, with Jones nursing a back complaint, both of which were picked up in their final club games of the season for Gloucester and Harlequins respectively. It will be a blow for head coach Gregor Townsend to lose two players of such experience, with the squad set to fly out tomorrow. Glasgow hooker Jonny

Matthews has been added to the group, but there is no direct replacement for either fly-half Hastings or centre Jones. Both players could also provide cover at full-back, which could perhaps leave the Scots a little short should they suffer any injuries. Blair Kinghorn and Ross Thompson are now the only specialist fly-halves, with Ollie Smith and Damien Hoyland the two main options at fullback. But, with a warm-up game against Chile to come next weekend, defence coach Steve Tandy is happy that there is enough depth, versatility and cover in the current squad as the Scots look to generate some fresh momentum after a disappointing Six Nations. Asked if there are any plans to call up replacements for Hastings and Jones, he said: ‘Not at the minute, no. Adam Hastings and Huw Jones will miss the tour, unfortunately, but that’s it.

Everyone else is ready to go. It’s a bigger group. The non-exiles (younger Scottishbased players) will play against Chile, then the exiles will be involved in the Argentinian Tests. It’s going to be a good opportunity. We’ve got backs who can play in lots of different positions. There’s young Ollie Smith as well, who has done really well for Glasgow. ‘Argentina have got quality, you see the experience they’ve got within the group. It’s going to be a real challenge but it’s one we can’t wait to undertake.’