Blade Thomson to miss Scotland's autumn international opening contest against Wales

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has confirmed that uncapped Blade Thomson will miss the opening game of their autumn international campaign against Wales at Millennium Stadium following his commitment with Scarlets.

The game scheduled to be played on 3rd November falls outside the international Test window and the clubs are not entitled to release their players according to the World Rugby regulations.

“The Wales game is outside the World Rugby window,” Townsend said.

“Scarlets are playing Edinburgh that weekend so it would be nice of Wayne Pivac to say to Blade ‘you are available’ but we know that is not going to happen.

“The rules are definitely in place for English and French-based teams and with the PRO14 it is just bad timing that our teams, Glasgow and Edinburgh, plus the Scarlets are playing that weekend otherwise it would be a free weekend.”

Former New Zealand Under 20 international Thomson joined Scarlets ahead of the 2018/19 season after featuring for Taranaki and Hurricanes previously.

Following the game against Wales, Townsend's men will play Fiji, South Africa and Argentina on 10th, 17th and 24th November respectively at Murrayfield Stadium.