Tuesday 27 January 2015 15:11, UK
Scotland have confirmed David Denton and Sean Maitland will miss the start of the Six Nations through injury.
Glasgow wing Maitland sustained a shoulder injury during the Champions Cup game with Bath on Sunday, while Edinburgh number eight Denton damaged a calf playing for the Gunners against Bordeaux in the European Challenge Cup.
Both players have now been ruled out of contention for the start of the international campaign - including the opening match with France in Paris on 7 February.
Denton was the only specialist No 8 in Cotter's original 32-man squad but Castres' Johnnie Beattie has since been invited to the party.
Meanwhile, another controversial addition to the Scotland squad - back row forward Hugh Blake - has pleaded for a chance to show what he can do.
The Edinburgh signing only stepped off a plane from his native New Zealand last month, and has yet to even play for them, but coach Vern Coter was happy to add him to his Six Nations squad.
He told Radio Clyde: "My call up has come as a surprise. I've come over at such a young age with ambitions to eventually play for Scotland. It's all happened earlier than expected but I'm honoured and psyched to be a part of it.
"There are some quality players who have been left out of the side who are Scotland legends. Yeah there's a bit of controversy there and I've been in the headlines. But I can't do anything about that.
"My message to people would be to ask them to be open minded. I'm new. I didn't select the team. I'm just going to be trying my best over the next few days to try to eventually play for Scotland.
"Vern Cotter has done his research and I'm just going to do my best for the fans and for Scotland rugby. I just want people to give me a chance."
Blake is eligible to play for Scotland courtesy of his Glasgow-born grandparents, who emigrated to New Zealand's North Island in the 1960s.
