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Scotland call up SA-born Steyn to RWC squad

Cape Town - Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has completed his training squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup, with Scott Cummings and SA-born centre Kyle Steyn included.

Townsend initially named a 42-man squad with space set aside for two players to force their way into contention.

Both Glasgow Warriors players finished the 2018/19 season in impressive form, which they continued into Saturday’s PRO14 final that ended in narrow defeat to Leinster at Celtic Park.

Townsend said: “We are fortunate to have a number of very good second-rowers available to us right now.

“With Richie Gray, Tim Swinson and Andrew Davidson also in contention for this remaining place in our World Cup squad, Scott’s selection is a testament to how well he has performed throughout the season and in particular over the past few weeks.

“He was impressive in his ball carrying, defence and his all-round work-rate on Saturday against Leinster and we look forward to working with him and the other four second-rows in our squad.”

He added: “Kyle has made an excellent impact since his debut for Glasgow earlier this season and has displayed strong defensive capabilities as well as a providing go-forward for his team when carrying ball.

“With every game he has looked more assured and, from our point of view, he will primarily be considered a winger who can cover the centre position.

“We have others in our squad that we view more as centre/wings but I’m sure over the course of the summer Kyle will get the opportunity to show what he can do in both positions.”

The inclusion of Cummings and Steyn takes the Glasgow Warriors contribution to the extended squad to 19, all of whom will now be given time off to rest before checking into camp next month.

Steyn, who qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish-born mother, previously captained Griquas in the Currie Cup, and played for Maties in the Varsity Cup. 

Scotland Rugby World Cup training squad:

Forwards

John Barclay, Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Scott Cummings, Allan Dell, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Gary Graham, Jonny Gray, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Sam Skinner, Grant Stewart, Josh Strauss, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson

Backs

Darcy Graham, Nick Grigg, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Pete Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Byron McGuigan, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Kyle Steyn, Duncan Taylor

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