Scotland's rugby tour of Australasia lurched into an injury crisis today (Tuesday) with the news that flanker Cameron Mather will return home with ankle trouble.
Mather is the third player to be forced out of the tour by injury in a week. Mather's injury compounded Scotland's misery which began with Saturday's tour-opening 41-5 drubbing by the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
Mather joins prop Euan Murray, who failed to play a game because of a thigh injury, and fullback Robbie Kydd, who fractured a cheekbone against the Reds, who are off home.
Scotland coach Matt Williams called holidaying former Australian under 21 representative Paul Dearlove into his squad as a replacement, placing him on to the reserves bench for Wednesday's game against New South Wales Country in Wollongong. "We needed a replacement for Cammy at short notice and it was fortuitous that Paul was on holiday in Sydney," Williams said on.
"We made contact with him and he has now joined the squad for the NSW Country game."
Dearlove, who was vice-captain of the ACT Brumbies' second-string side in 2002, has previously declined invitations to play in Australia's sevens side so that he would not prejudice his eligibility for Scotland. "I was surprised to get the call but I'm delighted to be able to join the squad," said 25-year-old Dearlove.
"I'll certainly do my very best to make the most of this opportunity. The chance to pull on the jersey and represent Scotland really means so much to me and it's one I'll certainly not take lightly.
"Hopefully I'll be able to get on in the game and get the chance to show what I can do on the pitch."
Scotland (v NSW Country) Gareth Morton; Simon Danielli, Marcus Di Rollo, Graeme Morrison, Hugo Southwell; Dan Parks, Graeme Beveridge; Jon Petrie (captain), Scott Gray, Andy Hall; Scott MacLeod, Craig Hamilton; Joel Brannigan, Steve Scott, Allan Jacobsen. Replacements: Rob Russell, Colin Noon, Alastair Kellock, Paul Dearlove, Mike Blair, Stephen Cranston, Ben Hinshelwood.
AFP - 2004.