Frank Hadden, the coach of the Scottish rugby union team, has surprisingly named a pair of uncapped players in the squad for the upcoming autumn Tests. Geoff Cross, who is a prop for Edinburgh, and Max Evans, who is a back for the Glasgow Warriors, have been included in the 31-man squad.

A further surprise came in the form of flanker, Scott Gray, who has only one cap, earned against Australia several years ago. Gray has impressed at openside during several of Northampton’s matches and this has not gone unnoticed by Frank Hadden, who believes that the player has “put in some great shifts”. Cross and Evans are both 25 years of age and have impressed at club level this season.

The Scottish national team is set to face New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada next month and the matches are particularly important in the light of the draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. They will face New Zealand on the 8th of November, South Africa a week later, and Canada on the 22nd of November.

The coach has spoken about the importance of healthy competition for a place in the first team and believes that the inclusion of Cross and Evans can only be beneficial for the side. The large squad will now meet at a Spanish warm-weather training camp next week.

Unfortunately, the training facilities at Murrayfield are currently being renovated, making them unsuitable for use.

Other players named in the squad include Mike Blair and Ben Cairns (who both play for Edinburgh), Rory Lamont, who has been in impressive form for the Sale Sharks, and Rory Lawson, who plays for Gloucester.