Worcester centre Alex Grove is celebrating after being named in Head Coach Andy Robinson’s Scotland squad for next month’s two Test tour of Argentina.
Grove follows the footsteps of Sixways team-mates Graham Kitchener and Tom Wood into the international arena next month after they were yesterday (Monday) called into the England Saxons squad to tour the United States.
The 27-strong squad – that departs on Friday, June 4 – includes the entire 22 who delivered Scotland’s victory over Ireland in the final RBS 6 Nations Championship match at Croke Park.
Robinson said: “We are really looking forward to playing against Argentina. We have a lot of respect for the way the game is played there and we want to improve upon our success in our most recent game in the Six Nations.
“As well as our two Test matches in Argentina we will prepare for those contests with our game at Murrayfield against a Japan Select.”
Meanwhile, Alex’s brother Ollie Grove will play for Scotland in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
The young Scots side will face 2009 semi-finalists Australia and South Africa before taking on Tonga in a repeat of the side’s 28-25 ninth-place playoff victory over the South-Sea Islanders in last season’s championship.
Scotland squad for tour of Argentina:
Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Seam Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow Warriors), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) and Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)
Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) and Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
First Test: Saturday 12 June Argentina v Scotland, Tucuman, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST.
Second Test: Saturday 19 June Argentina v Scotland, Mar del Plata, kick-off 3.45pm local time, 7.45pm BST
Scotland under-20 IRB Junior World Champions squad
Forwards: David Denton (Edinburgh Accies)*, Michael Fedo (Watsonians), Adam Fedorciow (University of Bath), Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County)*, Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*, George Hunter (Glasgow Hawks), Anthony Kent (London Scottish), Nicky Little (Hawick)*, Robert McAlpine (West of Scotland)**, Michael Maltman (Heriot’s)**, Stuart McInally (Watsonians)*, Colin Philips (Stewart’s Melville)**, Calum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish), Alun Walker (Currie)
Backs: Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie), Tom Brown (Edinburgh Accies)*, Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*, Dougie Fife (Currie)**
Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors), James Johnstone (Currie)*, Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks), Callum MacBurnie (Moseley), Matthew Scott (Currie)**, Michael Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Hawks)*, Russell Weir (Loughborough Students)
Saturday 5 June – Australia v Scotland, Estadio CA Colon, Santa Fe
Wednesday 9 June – South Africa v Scotland, Estadio CA Colon, Santa Fe
Sunday 13 June – Scotland v Tonga, Club Atletico Estudiantes, Parana