Robinson brings in new faces for Scotland's tough autumn series

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Andy Robinson, the Scotland head coach, has named four uncapped players in his squad for the autumn Test series. Glasgow stand-off Ruaridh Jackson, Edinburgh pair Greig Laidlaw and Jim Thompson, and Northampton back Joe Ansbro are in Robinson's 34-man group. Scotland face New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa next month.

Gloucester scrum-half Rory Lawson has been selected as he prepares to return from a hand injury. However, Alastair Kellock has been ruled out of the match with the All Blacks at Murrayfield on 13 November with a knee injury, but he may return to the squad before the series finishes, when Samoa visit Pittodrie on 27 November.

Along with the four uncapped players, Ross Rennie is looking to kick-start his international career after recovering from knee problems to make the squad. The Edinburgh flanker is excited about the prospect of adding to the cap he won against Ireland two years ago: "There are a number of huge fixtures coming up for both Edinburgh and the national team, and I'd love to be involved."

Jackson has been playing regularly for Glasgow since Dan Parks left for Cardiff and is relishing the challenge of competing against his former team-mate and Chris Paterson for the No 10 jersey. "I'm really excited to be involved in the autumn Tests and I can't wait for the start of the training camp," he said.

As well as Kellock, Chris Cusiter, Johnnie Beattie, Nick de Luca, Phil Godman and Simon Danielli are unavailable through injury. With Cusiter out, Robinson will name his captain closer to the match against the All Blacks.