Lawson gets late call

Hooker Scott Lawson has been handed a late call-up by Scotland ahead of the departure to South Africa.

The Dark Blues are bound for Johannesburg where they will take part in a four-team tournament with the host nation, Italy and Samoa next month, and 36-times-capped front-row forward Lawson has now joined up with the squad.

The experienced 31-year-old has not featured for his country since the humiliating 21-15 loss to Tonga in Aberdeen last November but returns to replace former Scotland captain Ross Ford after the Edinburgh man was ruled out of the trip through injury.

Lawson, who is joining Newcastle Falcons from London Irish for the start of next season, met up with his team-mates at Murrayfield on Friday morning.

Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson said: "Ross Ford pulled up in training in Aviemore on Wednesday.

"He was scanned at Spire Murrayfield Hospital and a calf tear was diagnosed, recovery from which takes, on average, more than six weeks.

"It's unfortunate for Ross but, looking on the bright side, it will give him the chance to have an off-season, which can do him good.

"It also gives an opportunity to assess other players, which is one of the key things this tour is about.

"It's a time then for Scott and the two hookers already named in the tour party Pat MacArthur and Stevie Lawrie to compete for places."