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Townsend calls up Pyrgos, Hughes and McDowall

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Henry Pyrgos leads the trio of names who have been added to Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad for their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday.

Henry Pyrgos leads the trio of names who have been added to Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad for their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday.

The Edinburgh scrum-half has been capped 27 times for his country, making six Championship appearances, and captaining the side during the 2015 Autumn Internationals.

He joins Glasgow Warriors wing Rory Hughes and Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy graduate Stafford McDowall in the squad as Townsend seeks cover for the injured Matt Smith, Alex Dunbar and Rob Harley.

Both Hughes – who has been capped four times – and McDowall will look to make their Guinness Six Nations debuts as Scotland bid to build on impressive their third-place showing last year, which included statement wins over France, Italy and an historic Calcutta Cup scalp of England.

Warriors duo Zander Fagerson and Fraser Brown will also join up with the squad this week as they continue their recovery from injury.