Cotter names five England-based Scots in autumn squad

10:33 AM GMT

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter hopes to have his England-based players available for his side's three autumn Tests.

Cotter has named five players based south of the border -- captain Greig Laidlaw, Moray Low, Duncan Taylor, Sean Maitland and Tim Visser -- in his 31-man squad for next month's clashes with Australia, Argentina and Georgia.

But a row with Premiership Rugby Ltd (PRL) -- the body which represents English club sides -- over an outstanding £400,000 injury compensation bill has threatened their participation.

The English clubs have voted to withhold their Scotland internationals - along with players representing Italy, Samoa and Tonga over a similar dispute - until the money is paid up.

Cotter though is confident he will be able to count on the services of skipper Laidlaw, who plays for Gloucester, as well as Exeter prop Low, the Saracens pair of Taylor and Maitland and Harlequins wing Visser.

Speaking in Edinburgh as he announced his selection for the November Tests, the New Zealander said: "That is an executive issue and [Scottish Rugby Union chief executive] Mark Dodson is dealing with that at the minute, so I'm not sure where it's going to get to.

"But we are anticipating having the players available to us, so I will let the whole thing unfold over the next couple of days, then we will know a bit more."

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Cotter names five England-based Scots in autumn squad