Interim head coach Mike Blair has named 17 uncapped players in a 37-man Scotland squad for their upcoming summer fixtures against England A, Romania and Georgia.
Luke Crosbie, Charlie Shiel (both Edinburgh), Rory Darge, Jamie Dobie, Rufus McLean, Ross Thompson, (all Glasgow Warriors) Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) and Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) have all been selected having previously spent time in the Scotland camp.
They will be joined by fellow uncapped backs Sione Tuipulotu, Kiran McDonald, Cole Forbes (all Glasgow Warriors) and Jack Blain (Edinburgh), who have all been called up for the first time.
Garbisi takes Benetton closer to final
Forwards Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets), Robin Hislop (Doncaster Knights), Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) and Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh) will also get their first taste of a senior international camp.
With eight Scottish players unavailable due to their selection for The British & Irish Lions, including regular skipper Stuart Hogg, the squad will be captained by Jamie Ritchie.
And Blair, who will oversee the group in the absence of Gregor Townsend due to his role as Lions assistant coach, wants to build on Scotland’s 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign.
“We have selected a mix of genuine Test match experience and a number of players who have impressed in the recent past to warrant a place in a squad that will want to continue the positive progress we have built up on and off the pitch in recent months,” he said.
“England A, Romania and Georgia will each pose different and tough challenges and we will have to be operating at our best to enjoy success, continuing on from some promising performances during the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
Hamish Watson wins Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship
“With the next Rugby World Cup two years away this period gives us an opportunity to increase our depth in key positions and work with players who can put up their hands for international selection this summer, and beyond.”
In addition to the new faces, the squad also retains several experienced players, with no fewer than 20 having previously represented Scotland.
Six players – Blair Kinghorn, Matt Scott, Adam Hastings, Scott Cummings, Simon Berghan and Ritchie – have earned at least 20 caps to date.
The full group will convene on Tuesday 15 June to prepare for the England A fixture on Sunday 27 June, with a smaller squad then travelling to Romania and Georgia for the two Test matches on consecutive Saturdays, 10 and 17 July respectively.
Scotland Squad for 2021 summer series
Forwards
Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) – Uncapped
Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints) – Uncapped
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) – Uncapped
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 31 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Bath Rugby) – 18 caps
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) – 14 caps
David Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Alex Craig (Gloucester Rugby) – 2 caps
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps
Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) – Uncapped
Robin Hislop (Doncaster Knights) – Uncapped
Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Kiran McDonald (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN – 27 caps
Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) – Uncapped
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 12 caps
Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
Backs
Jack Blain (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Cole Forbes (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps
James Lang (Harlequins) – 6 caps
Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Matt Scott (Leicester Tigers) – 39 caps
Charlie Shiel (Edinburgh Rugby) – Uncapped
Scott Steele (London Irish) – 4 caps
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) – Uncapped
