It said: ''Flanker John McCall was taken to hospital after collapsing during the first half of the Irish match against New Zealand.

BBC: John McCall was destined for higher honours in the game

Mr McCall said he was going so that John Reed, the NYSE's new interim chief executive, could "move forward without being encumbered by the past".

BBC: NYSE's McCall resigns

The Firhill club have a long injury list, with John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, James Eddie, Colin Gregor, Dougie Hall and Dave McCall among those sidelined and expected to miss the start of the new campaign.

BBC: Chris Cusiter & Al Kellock injury worries for Scots