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Page last updated at 23:05 GMT, Monday, 27 October 2008

Uncapped pair in Scotland squad

Geoff Cross and Max Evans
Geoff Cross and Max Evans have been named in the 31-man squad

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has named two uncapped players in the squad for next month's autumn Tests.

Edinburgh prop Geoff Cross and Glasgow Warriors back Max Evans, both 25, are in the 31-man squad.

Flanker Scott Gray, who earned his only cap against Australia four years ago, has also been included.

Glasgow back Colin Gregor, 27, has also been enlisted after his teammate Mark McMillan, sustained shoulder and hip knocks during training on Monday.

The Scots face New Zealand, South Africa and Canada in November, and Hadden said he was happy with the competition for places.

"We know the huge importance of our November matches given the draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup," said Hadden.

"Twenty three of the squad were with us in Argentina during the summer, including Max Evans and Geoff Cross.

"We've been impressed especially by the manner in which Max and Geoff have raised their game this season. We've also been watching Scott Gray closely at Northampton, where he's put in some great shifts at openside."

The squad will gather at a warm-weather training camp at La Manga in Spain, next Monday, with Exiles in their club team's match-day 22 released on the Wednesday.

Hadden said: "This is the best route to maximise the limited time we have together for the matches against the All Blacks, Springboks and Canada.

"Our training facilities on the back pitches at Murrayfield are currently being enhanced and are thus out of the equation. So we have identified the warm-weather camp in Spain as the ideal route."

The Scots face New Zealand at Murrayfield on 8 November, South Africa seven days later and Canada at Pittodrie on 22 November.


Scotland squad:

Backs: Mike Blair (capt), Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans, Thom Evans (both Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks), Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson, Hugo Southwell, Simon Webster (all Edinburgh)
Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown (both Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Matt Mustchin (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), Jason White (Sale Sharks)



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