Blair Cowan and Ron Harley, two regulars in the Six Nations, and John Barclay, a try-scorer and outstanding performer in the last warm-up game, were the surprise absentees from the final 31-man squad named by head coach Vern Cotter for Scotland’s Rugby World Cup campaign named in Edinburgh today.
Greig Laidlaw will captain the side from scrum-half but there is a major surprise in the recall of Glasgow lock Tom Swinson, who had not been involved in any of the warm-up campaign due to a shoulder injury.
As expected New Zealand-born John Hardie, parachuted into the preparation squad after it had been originally announced and capped for the first time against Italy in Turin last week, is in the final 31 but is the only specialist open side of the five originally picked to make it to the tournament.
Cowan, who started eight games in a row at 7 through the autumn internationals and the Six Nations last year, is axed along with Harley, who was expected by most to be picked as a utility player covering both lock and back row.
Barclay, brought back into the fold after an outstanding season with the Scarlets, also fails to make the cut after winning his 42nd cap against Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.
The other notable omission is Alex Dunbar, who will not be risked as he is yet to play after undergoing knee surgery as a result of a training ground injury during the Six Nations, although he is a possible call-up for injury later in the tournament.
Other injury questions Ryan Grant, Sean Maitland and Swinson are however cleared to be in the final 31.