Maitland on road to recovery from shoulder injury

The 26-year-old initially suffered the injury playing for the Warriors in Europe against Bath back in January but subsequent setbacks have halted Maitland's recovery.

The Scotland international - who made just three GUINNESS PRO12 appearances before his domestic season was curtailed - has been named in Vern Cotter's World Cup squad after being given an August return date.

And Maitland intends to play his part in the competition, despite vowing not to rush back too soon.

"I am ahead of schedule," Maitland told The Scotsman. "I can run. I can keep fit, which is good, but I'm not taking contact. It's a week-by-week basis.

"I don't want to chuck dates out there because I don't want to kid myself but some time in August they are saying. Maybe not the first World Cup warm-up game but I'm pretty sure I will get a couple of games under my belt and get some match fitness.

"It's been a bit of a frustrating season to be honest. I hurt my shoulder and I was told to re-hab it for six to eight weeks and I would be fine. It just didn't get better.

"The shoulder just didn't get better but I got it rescanned and was told that I needed surgery… four to six months out. That had a massive impact on my season."

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