Skipper Grassick’s return boosts Scotland for World League challenge

Scotland captain Chris Grassick will return to international duty following an absence of almost a year after he was included in coach Derek Forsyth’s squad of 18 for the World League semi-finals in London next week.

A year ago, the Surbiton midfielder sustained a serious cruciate ligament injury playing for Great Britain prior to the Rio Olympics. Two knee operations later the former Inverleith player is now set to take on the best in the world in London.

There were also concerns about the availability of striker Alan Forsyth after he picked up a virus playing for Team GB in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

He has declared himself fit, a huge boost for Scotland after he he scored four goals in Malaysia and was voted the Man of the Match in the final against Australia.

Along with Forsyth the Scots have other potent strikers in the shape of Kenny Bain, who plays for top Dutch side HGC, and Lee Morton, now with English side Reading.

But it will still be a tough assignmentforforsyth,whose side will be underdogs in Pool B against India, Netherlands, Pakistan and Canada, all of whom are well above them in the world rankings.

Forsyth said: “We’re looking forward to playing against some of the best teams in the world. It will be a huge challenge but everyone has worked exceptionally hard to get to this tournament, and the effort from the players over the last few weeks has made selection difficult.”

Scotland open their campaign against sixth-ranked India on 15 June.

0 Chris Grassick: Knee injury. Melbourne Rebels have confirmed the signing of former England lock Geoff Parling.

The 33-year-old, who helped Exeter win the Aviva Premiership title with victory over Wasps at Twickenham 10 days ago, will join in time for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Parling, who won 29 caps, was part of England’s 2015 World Cup squad and was with the Lions in Australia four years ago .

“Geoff ’s signing is a strategic recruitment as we look to evolve our squad for 2018 and beyond,” said Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson.