Scotland lose Hardie for USA World Cup clash

Scotland have been dealt a blow for their Rugby World Cup match against USA at Elland Road, Leeds as John Hardie has been ruled out due to injury.

Hardie produced inconclusive results to a precautionary HIA 2 (head injury assessment) after Wednesday’s win over Japan, the openside – who remains symptom free – was reassessed on Friday.

Hardie then failed failed one component of the tested elements (Cogstate), 48-hours after the game (HIA 3), and was subsequently considered unavailable for tomorrow’s game.

The openside will now continue with his graduated return-to-play protocol.

As a result, Ryan Wilson has been promoted from the bench into the starting back-row.

To accommodate Wilson’s inclusion and retain cover for the forwards, hooker Fraser Brown will now take the number 20 shirt as back-row replacement, with Ross Ford starting.

Kevin Bryce comes into the match-day squad to take the replacement hooker role vacated by Ford.

Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg ,14 Sean Maitland , 13 Mark Bennett , 12 Peter Horne , 11 Tim Visser , 10 Finn Russell , 9 Henry Pyrgos (c) , 8 Josh Strauss , 7 Ryan Wilson , 6 Alasdair Strokosch , 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Jon Welsh , 2 Ross Ford , 1 Ryan Grant

Replacements : 16 Ross Ford , 17 Alasdair Dickinson , 18 Willem Nel, 20 Fraser Brown , 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Duncan Weir , 23 Matt Scott