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Stuart McInally has been forced to withdraw from Scotland’s World Cup team after failing to recover from a neck injury. Glasgow Warriors hooker Kevin Bryce has been called up as a replacement.
It’s a major disappointment for McInally, who had only just started to settle into his new position in the front row after switching his focus from the back of the scrum two seasons ago. Both of his newly-won caps came against Italy in late August, including his first test start in Turin. McInally’s strong ball carrying and ability to effectively cover the back row were seen as a significant features at the time of his selection.
Bryce is very much a like-for-like replacement, having himself played as a loose forward in age grade rugby before switching to hooker as a senior. He also has two international caps to his credit, coming during the June test window against Canada and South Africa, but has yet to be selected in the run-on side. His selection will come somewhat of a surprise given that he usually sits behind six-cap international Pat MacArthur in the Warriors pecking order, as well as Fraser Brown, already in the World Cup squad.
Ross Ford remains first choice hooker in Vern Cotter’s squad, yet another back row convert. Brown is seen as an ideal bench reserve as he still lines up at openside for Warriors on occasion.
