Rugby: Scotland star Strokosch set to leave Gloucester and head for France

Speculation that Scotland flanker Alasdair Strokosch is transferring from Gloucester to French rugby intensified today.Ex-Boroughmuir star Strokosch, who will gain his 24th cap against England at Murrayfield on Saturday, is the subject of a glowing farewell tribute from a former Gloucester star in a weekly newspaper column.

Peter Butler, an ex-England full back, says: “I’ll be sorry to see Strokosch go, if that’s the case. He is a true grafter in the back row, doing so much unnoticed work and putting in some crunching tackles. You will never see him dummy and run 50 yards through a hole but I’ll bet there aren’t many players at Kingsholm who were happy to see him go. If he does go I wish him all the best.” It is understood that Perpignan are front runners for Strokosch’s signature and the Gloucester Citizen adds to conjecture, saying: “Strokosch has informed (coaches) Bryan Redpath and Carl Hogg of his decision to leave Gloucester after more than four years. Strokosch’s honesty and candour about his position only serves to underline still further Gloucester’s respect for his up-front character.”

• EDINBURGH’S Tom Brown, Matt Scott and Stuart McInally will start for Scotland A in tomorrow’s clash with England Saxons at Galashiels. On the bench from the Capital are Roddy Grant and Phil Godman with Michael Bradley coaching the side.

Team: Hogg (Glasgow), Brown (Edinburgh), Grove (Worcester), Scott (Edinburgh), Danielli (Ulster), Weir (Glasgow), Lawson (Gloucester), captain, Welsh, Hall, Kalman, Harley, Ryder (all Glasgow), McInally (Edinburh), Vernon (Sale), Fusaro (Glasgow). Subs: McArthur, Ryan Grant, Wilson (all Glasgow), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Pyrgos (Glasgow), Godman (Edinburgh) Murchie (Glasgow).