Scots recall Ford and Gray for World Cup quarter-final

Scotland recalled Ross Ford and Jonny Gray for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Australia at Twickenham after they won appeals against suspensions.

Hooker Ford and lock Gray won their appeals on Saturday against three-week bans imposed for a dangerous tackle on Samoa's Jack Lam during Scotland's 36-33 victory last weekend.

Coach Vern Cotter had by Saturday already named his side to play Australia as per tournament regulations.

Gray replaced Tim Swinson in the second row, with Ford taking over from Fraser Brown.

Ford had been found guilty of a dangerous tackle and Gray of a tip tackle. But an appeal committee ruled their tackle had not been dangerous at all.

After the successful appeal, Scotland had until 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:00pm (1500 GMT) kick-off to make any changes and it was no surprise that they brought back two of their first-choice players in Gray and Ford.

Swinson and Brown are now on the bench, with Kevin Bryce and Alasdair Strokosch dropping out of the matchday 23.

Revised Scotland team (15-1)

Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Tommy Seymour; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); David Denton, John Hardie, Blair Cowan; Richie Gray, Jonny Gray; WP Nel, Ross Ford, Alasdair Dickinson

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Tim Swinson, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Richie Vernon, Sean Lamont

Coach: Vern Cotter (NZL)

Source: AFP