Scotland back-row John Hardie has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup match against USA at Elland Road, Leeds (kick-off 2.30pm) – live on ITV.

Having produced inconclusive results to a precautionary HIA 2 (head injury assessment) after Wednesday’s win over Japan, the openside – who remains symptom free – was reassessed yesterday afternoon (Friday).

It was here that, 48-hours after the game (HIA 3), Hardie failed one component of the tested elements (Cogstate), and was subsequently considered unavailable for tomorrow’s game. He will now continue with his graduated return-to-play protocol.

As a result, Ryan Wilson has been promoted from the bench into the starting back-row.

To accommodate Wilson’s inclusion and retain cover for the forwards, hooker Fraser Brown will now take the number 20 shirt as back-row replacement, with Ross Ford starting.

Kevin Bryce comes into the match-day squad to take the replacement hooker role vacated by Ford.

Scotland team to face USA at Elland Road, Leeds this Sunday (27 September, kick-off 2.30pm) – live on ITV 15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps; 9 tries, 1 pen, 48 points 14 Sean Maitland (London Irish) – 17 caps; 2 tries, 10 points



12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps, 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points

11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 21 caps; 9 tries, 45 points 13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps; 5 tries, 25 points12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps, 1 try, 1 con, 1 pen, 10 points11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 21 caps; 9 tries, 45 points 10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps; 2 tries, 2 cons, 14 points

9 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN – 16 caps; 4 tries, 20 points 1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps

2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 90 caps; 2 tries, 10 points

3 Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 8 caps, 1 try, 5 points

4 Richie Gray (Castres) – 47 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

5 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 11 caps, 1 try, 5 points

6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) – 46 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

7 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

8 Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap Substitutes:

16 Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps

17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 48 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

18 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps

19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

20 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps

21 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) – 42 caps; 3 tries, 48 cons, 92 pens, 387 points

22 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps, 1 try, 6 cons, 9 pens, 1 drop, 47 points

23 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 30 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

The HIA (head injury assessment process)

HIA Stage 1 – in-game pitch side. Stage 1 utilizes the HIA Form 1 and occurs pitch side.

Stage 2 – post-game, same day assessment. The World Rugby HIA Form 2 provides baseline normative data. As part of the Player Welfare Standards an annual baseline HIA Form 2 (SCAT 3) is completed.

Stage 3 – 36-48 hour assessment. The HIA Form 3 should be used as the support tool for the 36-48 hour post injury assessment. This follow up stage encourages the use of a computer neurocognitive tool as part of the overall HIA 3 assessment.