Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen, who is currently in charge of the Scotland ’A’ team, today announced his side to play Tonga at Netherdale in Galashiels on Friday night (kick-off 7:30pm). Admission is free.

Six Warriors players are named in the match-day 22, four in the starting XV, among whom Jon Welsh makes his first appearance for a Scotland representative side.

Lock Richie Gray will also make his first appearance at ‘A’ level having captained the Scotland U20 team last season.

Former Edinburgh player Hugo Southwell, who spent the majority of his playing career operating in the full-back role, has been selected at stand-off.

Lineen believes the Stade Francais back will prove to be a sound choice in the playmaker role and says he is looking forward to the contest.

Lineen said: “We’ve picked Hugo to start at stand-off because we believe he will do a good job for us there – he is a quality player with lots of experience who has been regularly operating as first receiver on attack for Stade Francais this season.

“We believe we have picked a strong squad to face a competitive Tonga side, who will be physical and skilful.

“Andy Robinson will be attending the match at Netherdale and the players realise that this is an ideal opportunity to showcase their skills in a bid to earn selection for Scotland’s Test match against Argentina at Murrayfield next Saturday.

“We are looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd at Netherdale and continuing on from the team’s last achievement which was to win the Nations Cup in June.”

Scotland ‘A’ squad to play Tonga at Netherdale (Friday 20 November, kick-off 7.30pm)
 
15 Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)
 
14 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh)
12 John Houston (Edinburgh)
11 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
 
10 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais)
9 Rory Lawson (captain, Gloucester)
 
1 Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors)
2 Scott Lawson (Gloucester)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh)
4 Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh)
5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
7 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh)
8 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)
 
Substitutes: Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Robertson (Edinburgh).

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and turnstiles will open at 6pm.

There are seven players selected in the starting line-up who were part of the squad which won the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest in June

There are 10 capped internationalists in the starting line-up with both Jon Welsh and Richie Gray set to make their debuts at Scotland ‘A’ level.