Finn Russell has been left out of Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series squad, with Blair Kinghorn in contention to start at fly-half.
The Racing 92 star was not available for the first match against Australia, which falls outside the Test window, but could have been selected for fixtures against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
Gregor Townsend has named Edinburgh Rugby flanker Jamie Ritchie as captain for the Autumn Nations Series and he will be joined in the back row by new call-up Jack Dempsey.
The 28-year-old Glasgow Warriors No.8 has previously made 14 appearances for Australia, but qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather and was eligible to switch allegiance to another country following a three-year cooling off period under World Rugby’s birthright transfer rules.
Veteran lock Richie Gray has also been called up and will look to add to his 67 caps, with the last of those arriving in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
Edinburgh Rugby duo WP Nel and Nick Haining have returned to the squad having featured in this year’s Guinness Six Nations after missing out on selection for the summer tour of Argentina.
In the backs, Gloucester Rugby’s Chris Harris and Adam Hastings are included after the latter was ruled out of the tour through injury. Hastings will compete with Kinghorn and Ross Thompson in the battle for the number 10 jersey.
Veteran full-back Stuart Hogg returns to the squad alongside centre Cameron Redpath, has not played since Test rugby since Six Nations, when he suffered an injury against Wales.
Scotland kick-off the Autumn Nations Series against Australia next weekend.
Scotland Autumn Nations Series Squad
Forwards
Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 4 caps Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 7 caps Andy Christie (Saracens) 3 caps Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 50 caps Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 69 caps Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 67 caps Nick Haining (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 caps WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 48 caps Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 32 caps Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 12 caps Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 22 caps Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 20 caps George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 51 caps
Backs
Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 29 caps Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 36 caps Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby) 26 caps Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 93 caps George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 34 caps Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 54 caps Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 2 caps Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 19 caps Ben White (London Irish) 6 caps
