Scotland recall for Di Rollo after injury

The Scotland coach, Ian McGeechan, has included all 26 players who toured South Africa this summer in his 50-strong preliminary squad for the World Cup in Australia this autumn.

The Edinburgh centre Marcus di Rollo is included after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained last September, while the Under-21 backs Gareth Morton and Chris Cusiter are also named. McGeechan will name his definitive 30-man squad for the tournament in early September. Of di Rollo, the coach said: "I want to involve Marcus and will be monitoring his progress carefully."

Thirty-two of the preliminary squad are undergoing fitness training in Spala, Poland. The players will then be organised into geographical training camps before the squad embark on three pre-World Cup Test matches - against Italy at Murrayfield on 23 August; Wales in Cardiff on 30 August and Ireland at Murrayfield on 6 September.

Wales announced that they will be awarding caps to players in all four World Cup preparation matches in August, against Ireland, England, Romania and Scotland. Northampton's Welsh lock Steve Williams has announced his international retirement.

The former Scotland A international Barry Irving has joined the French second division side Tarbes on a one-year contract.

Leinster have named the former Australia international Gary Ella as head coach. The province turned to Ella, assistant coach of New South Wales Waratahs, after a move for Jon Callard fell through.