Rob Wainwright and Andy Nicol look to be the main contenders to lead Scotland on their summer tour to Australia after Gary Armstrong pulled out yesterday. Both have captained Scotland and experience will be needed for such a difficult trip, especially with four other Newcastle players and wing Tony Stanger also unavailable.

British Lions centre Alan Tait, flanker Peter Walton, prop George Graham and lock Doddie Weir are the other Newcastle withdrawals.

The withdrawal of Stanger could open the door for either John Kerr or Derek Stark, while the absence of Walton will mean a place for Watsonian Cameron Mather or under-21 cap Jason White.