EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) Scotland has selected five England-based players in its squad for the autumn tests, even though they are not currently available for international duty because of a funding dispute.
Clubs in the English Premiership have voted to withhold their Scotland players - as well as players representing Italy, Samoa and Tonga - over an outstanding injury compensation bill totaling nearly $500,000.
That hasn't stopped Scotland coach Vern Cotter from picking captain Greig Laidlaw, prop Moray Low, center Duncan Taylor and wingers Sean Maitland and Tim Visser in a 31-man squad for next month's games with Australia, Argentina and Georgia.
Cotter says the Scottish Rugby Union is liaising with Premiership Rugby Ltd, the body that represents English club sides, and that ''we are anticipating having the players available.''
South Africa-born prop WP Nel is missing because of a neck injury.
