Williams outlines radical plan

Rugby News round-up: Scotland's coach Matt Williams yesterday outlined a controversial plan entitled "Fortress Scotland" which will eventually see the international side being made up of home-based players only.

The former Leinster coach made his first squad announcement yesterday since taking over from Ian McGeechan after the World Cup.

But the surprise inclusion of 14 uncapped players was nothing compared to his plans for a massive overhaul of the Scottish game.

Williams has warned players they will not be selected for future teams if they continue to ply their trade in a different country while Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Rugby and The Borders will be limited to just two overseas players in the future.

He explained: "We are going to implement a policy over the next few years that we are calling Fortress Scotland.

"Scottish players must be playing in Scotland to play for their country and the captain will be coming out of the professional teams in Scotland.

"Our policy of sending our players to England to save costs is counter-productive and it will lead to the end of Scottish rugby being competitive on the international stage.

"We have to control our players and at the World Cup, France, Australia, New Zealand and England had no players playing outside their borders.

"By the next World Cup our aim is to have every player that goes to that World Cup playing in the pro teams in Scotland."

All of the players at the World Cup currently available have been selected, although Andrew Mower is still sidelined through injury.

They have been joined by back-row forward Simon Cross, who is currently qualifying for the country through residency, scrumhalf Chris Cusiter, hooker Ross Ford, outhalf/centre Phil Goodman, backrow forward Allister Hogg and lock Alastair Kellock.

Also drafted in were wing Sean Lamont, centre Graeme Morrison, full back Gareth Morton, prop Euan Murray, outhalf Dan Parks, centre Tom Philip, scrumhalf Sam Pinder and outhalf Alistair Warnock.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are set to decide the fate of their coach John Mitchell on Thursday after making Clive Woodward's former assistant reapply for his job following the All Blacks' failure to win the World Cup.

Mitchell has been challenged by the former Wales and Lions coach Graham Henry who was interviewed for the position yesterday.