Scotland’s World Cup squad announcement looms – who is in danger of missing out?

Gregor Townsend has said that the last four players to leave the squad will be a tighthead prop, a hooker, a back-row and a scrum-half.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend announces his 33-man World Cup squad on Wednesday morning.

Here, the PA news agency looks at how things are shaping up and who is in danger of missing out on the showpiece in France.

Who is already out of contention?

Gregor Townsend named a provisional 41-man training squad on May 9 to negotiate an intense pre-season camp and four warm-up matches prior to the tournament itself. In the intervening three months, the squad has evolved and become more streamlined. Scotland’s record try-scorer Stuart Hogg, who would likely have been a starter, announced his retirement in early July, while back-row Andy Christie dropped out through injury, with his place taken by Josh Bayliss. Ruaridh McConnochie was called in to replace Hogg but the Bath back soon drifted out of the mix due to injury. The weekend before last, stand-off Adam Hastings, lock Cam Henderson, centre Stafford McDowall and wing Kyle Rowe, who was a later addition to the initial squad, were all part of a four-man cull as Townsend trimmed his pool to 37.

Where will the remaining cuts come from?

Townsend said after Saturday’s loss to France in Saint-Etienne that the last four players to leave the squad would be a tighthead prop, a hooker, a back-row and a scrum-half.

Edinburgh hooker set to miss out

Scotland v Russia – Pool A – 2019 Rugby World Cup – Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa — Stuart McInally’s place is not certain (Adam Davy/PA)

Prop poser

Glasgow Warriors v RC Toulon – EPCR Challenge Cup – Final – Aviva Stadium — Zander Fagerson is one of the first names on Scotland’s teamsheet (Brian Lawless/PA)

Rowing back on the back-rows

Scotland Captains Run – Twickenham Stadium – Friday February 3rd — Luke Crosbie could be one player to miss out (Adam Davy/PA)

Warriors scrum-half scrap

Scotland v Wales – Guinness Six Nations – BT Murrayfield — Ben White’s ankle injury will be assessed (Jane Barlow/PA)