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 BBC Scotland's Nigel Robson reports"Despite the distractions, the squad is looking forward to the match"  real 28k  |
Leslie's withdrawal had been widely anticipated after he missed Newcastle's Premiership game with Saracens at the weekend with an ankle injury.
But hooker Gordon Bulloch's unavailability is a double blow for the Scots, after prop Dave Hilton was deemed ineligible by the International Rugby Board earlier in the week.
 Andy Nicol: Defended team mate
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The Glasgow Caledonians man came off the bench to feature against Wales a fortnight ago, but aggravated the problem in his Super Districts' Tri Series meeting with Edinburgh Reivers in Inverness on Sunday.
Ironically, he would also have been a contender to skipper the side in Leslie's absence.
Glasgow Caledonians scrum-half Nicol, who has been a team-mate of Hilton's for both club and country for the past six years, launched a withering attack on critics of the prop, who has become embroiled in the "grannygate" scandal.
Huge asset
He said: "The way David has been portrayed is nothing short of appalling.
"This was not a premeditated attempt by someone to manipulate the system.
"I hope what has happened will not drive him out of Scottish rugby because he is a huge asset."
Edinburgh Reivers' centre Graham Shiel, who was set to skipper the A team at Goldenacre on Saturday, has been drafted into the main squad to replace Leslie, while Bulloch's Reds colleague, Gavin Scott, covers Steve Brotherstone at hooker.
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