Sparky

Scotland hooker Dougie Hall has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee ligament injury.
The 26-year-old Glasgow Warriors player picked up the injury during a squad session on Monday.

Hall, who won the first of his 19 caps four years ago, is expected to be sidelined for up to 16 weeks.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has added Hall's Glasgow team-mate, the uncapped 23-year-old Fergus Thomson, to the World Cup training squad.

"It's obviously disappointing news for Dougie and I wish him a speedy recovery," said Hadden.

"He has made enormous progress in the last couple of years and been integral to the national squad in that time."

Ross Ford made his Scotland debut against France in March and the hooker is searching for a new club due to the closure of the Border Reivers.

Being a centrally contracted player, Ford would switch to Glasgow if he does not receive an acceptable offer from elsewhere.