Six Nations: Finn Russell returns for Scotland as Gregor Townsend names four uncapped players

Ewan Ashman, David Cherry, Alex Craig and Cameron Redpath could all make their debuts

Finn Russell will make his Scotland return at the upcoming Six Nations.

Russell picked up an injury against Wales in November and missed the Autumn Nations Cup as a result, but the fly-half has been named in Gregor Towsend’s 35-man squad.

Players who could potentially make their debuts for the nation include Edinburgh hooker David Cherry, Sale hooker Ewan Ashman, Gloucester forward Alex Craig and Bath centre Cameron Redpath. 

Linking up at half-back will be Racing 92’s Russell and Edinburgh’s Jaco Van de Walt, who made his Scotland debut in the ANC semi-final against Ireland.

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Townsend said: “As coaches we have selected a group which we believe can build on the work our players put in throughout the recent Autumn Nations Cup campaign and kick on again in terms of performance levels.

“The depth we have across the squad enables us to bring in some new players who have excelled in recent weeks and others who we believe can perform at Test level.”

Scotland’s Six Nations campaign begins with the Calcutta Cup clash against England on 6 February.

Townsend said: “We are very aware how different this year’s competition will be due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it also provides a huge amount of positivity and enjoyment for millions of supporters and we are looking forward to contesting every match and giving this championship our very best.”

Returning to the squad, split between 20 forwards and 15 backs, are also Newcastle Falcons back rower Gary Graham, Sale Sharks wing Byron McGuigan, Glasgow Warriors hooker Grant Stewart and London Irish prop Alan Dell.

In the pack, Glasgow Warriors hooker George Turner is selected and joined in the front row by Zander Fagerson and Oli Kebble from Glasgow Warriors, alongside Edinburgh Rugby representatives WP Nel, Rory Sutherland and Simon Berghan.

Glasgow Warriors’ lock pairing Richie Gray and Scott Cummings and Exeter Chiefs Jonny Gray are called up, along with Edinburgh's Grant Gilchrist, who left the ANC squad with an injury before the opening match.

Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie, who have both recently re-signed to long-term deals to stay at Edinburgh Rugby, are joined as back-row options by Glasgow Warrior Matt Fagerson and Scarlets' Blade Thomson.

Townsend has chosen just two scrum-halves for the campaign, with Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price and Harlequins’ Scott Steele selected.

Gloucester’s Chris Harris, Saracen Duncan Taylor, Glasgow Warrior Huw Jones and Harlequins’ James Lang are selected at centre.

In the back three Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is joined by Edinburgh Rugby trio Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan Van de Merwe and Saracens’ Sean Maitland.

Scotland squad

Forwards:

Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) - Uncapped

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 28 caps

David Cherry (Edinburgh) – Uncapped

Alex Craig (Gloucester) - Uncapped

Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps

Allan Dell – London Irish – 32 caps

Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps

Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 2 caps

Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps

Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 61 caps

Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 65 caps

Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps

Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 40 caps

Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 23 caps

Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps

Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 11 caps

Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 9 caps

George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps

Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 36 caps

Backs:

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 15 caps

Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 23 caps

Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs), Captain – 80 caps

Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps

Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 25 caps

James Lang (Harlequins) – 5 caps

Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 50 caps

Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks) – 10 caps

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps

Cameron Redpath – (Bath) – Uncapped

Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 51 caps

Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 1 cap

Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 28 caps

Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 5 caps

PA