91Èȱ¬

Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Henry Pyrgos has been named Scotland captain for the World Cup warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday.

Head coach Vern Cotter's 25-man squad for the first of four preparation games does not include Greig Laidlaw, who captained Scotland at the Six Nations.

Edinburgh's Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is in the squad for the Dublin encounter.

After that match, Scotland will play Italy both away and at home before facing France in Paris.

Cotter's starting line-up for the Ireland match will be announced on Thursday.

Backs: Dougie Fife, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Peter Horne, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont, Henry Pyrgos (captain), Tommy Seymour, Greig Tonks, Richie Vernon, Tim Visser, Duncan Weir.

Forwards: John Barclay, Hugh Blake, Fraser Brown, Blair Cowan, Mike Cusack, David Denton, Allan Dell, Grant Gilchrist, Ryan Grant, Jim Hamilton, Rob Harley, Stuart McInally, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh.