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SA prop misses Scotland cut

Scotland coach Vern Cotter made the cut following the national team's opening two World Cup warm-up matches – matches against Ireland and Italy.

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Dell, who played for SA U20 in 2012 and signed for Edinburgh from the Durban-based Sharks, qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother, Joan Carmichael, who was born in Paisley and brought up in Edinburgh.

However, the 23-year-old's World Cup dream has now been put on ice – unless there are some injuries.

Saturday's game against the Azzuri at Murrayfield will be the last chance for the remaining players to stake a claim for  Scotland's final 31-man World Cup squad, before it's announced on Tuesday, September 1.

Cotter also confirmed that loose foward Josh Strauss has returned to Glasgow Warriors with the view to getting game time, before being considered for the final 31-man squad.

Glasgow Warriors pair Mike Cusack and Rory Hughes have returned to Scotstoun having made their debuts for the national team this season, and both started against Italy in Saturday's 16-12 win in Turin.

Edinburgh Rugby quintet Allan Dell, Dougie Fife, Damien Hoyland, Ben Toolis and Hamish Watson will rejoin the capital club.  

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Warriors hooker Kevin Bryce, who joined the squad last week as precautionary cover, has also returned to his club.

"I'd like to thank the players for all their hard work throughout what has been a very tough pre-season campaign, said Scotland Coach Vern Cotter.

"Their commitment to improving as individuals and to our collective endeavor has been exceptional, and has made this a very tough decision.

"They are understandably disappointed to miss out at this stage, however they have done themselves proud with their performances in training and the two Test matches."

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Cotter added: "The nature of Test rugby is that we may need to call upon any of these players at any given time during our journey to, and through what will be a very tough Rugby World Cup campaign, so we'll continue to monitor their performances at club level very closely."

The squad, minus Strauss, who was released to play club rugby but remains a part of the training squad, will now convene for a four-day camp at the University of St Andrews ahead of Saturday's decisive Test match against Italy, at Murrayfield.

Scotland Training Squad:

Forwards: Alasdair Dickinson, Ryan Grant, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Robert Harley, Adam Ashe, John Barclay, Hugh Blake,Blair Cowan, David Denton, John Hardie, Josh Strauss, Alasdair Strokosch, Ryan Wilson, Willem Nel.

Backs: Chris Cusiter, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Greig Laidlaw, Henry Pyrgos, Ruaridh Jackson, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Matt Scott, Richie Vernon, Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Greig Tonks, Tim Visser.

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