SCOTLAND yesterday departed from their normal team selection practice by announcing a squad for the Test against Australia next Saturday and then warned that this would become the custom in future. The selectors named a panel of 21 for the game at Murrayfield and this will only be slimmed down to 15 plus six replacements next Wednesday.

"It is inevitable that this should happen in the professional era," said team manager Arthur Hastie. "In future, the naming of the team may be delayed until the actual day of the match."

"In the past, the team has been announced almost two weeks before a match, giving the opposition plenty of time to weigh up their best game plan. We now want to give as little opportunity to them as possible."

The delays also gives the selectors a chance to check on players in action today.

The only figure certain of his place is Northampton's Gregor Townsend, who has been named as captain in the absence of the injured Rob Wainwright.

What position Townsend will occupy has not been revealed but, given his success last season as out-half and on the tour to New Zealand, he will probably wear the number 10 shirt. The likelihood is that Ron Eriksson will play at inside centre alongside Scott Hastings. On the wings it will be two from Tony Stanger Ken Logan and Derek Stark.

There will be a difficult choice at scrum-half between Gary Armstrong and Bryan Redpath.

In the forwards the front row may be overhauled after tight-head prop Peter Wright was not considered. Barry Stewart was thrust into the position in New Zealand for the second Test, but he will be challenged by Dave Hilton, whose loose-head place could go to Tom Smith.

Damian Cronin and Doddie Weir should be the locks, but the back row presents problems. Scott Murray may get the number eight slot, with Eric Peters coming in at blind-side and Murray Wallace possibly winning his first cap at open-side.