Wing threat: Sean Maitland
Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson has included ten uncapped players in the 35-man training squad for the Six Nations.
The squad will convene in Glasgow next Sunday for a three-day training camp.
The uncapped players include full-back Peter Murchie, wings Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour, centres Alex Dunbar and Peter Horne, scrum-half Sean Kennedy, hooker Pat MacArthur, lock Grant Gilchrist and back-row forwards Ryan Wilson and Chris Fusaro.
"We've chosen this squad with two parameters uppermost in our minds: current form and looking to the future," said Johnson.
"Where two players have been vying for the one spot in areas such as the back-row, we've gone with the form option.
"I've been impressed with a number of the young fellows who've helped Glasgow to second place in the Rabo, especially by their work ethic and determination to improve.
"This squad is for our training camp in Glasgow next week and we still have the option to add to it for the Six Nations."
Former Crusaders winger Maitland is included after joining Glasgow Warriors in October, qualifying to play for Scotland through his grandparents.
There are recalls for number eight Johnnie Beattie, who missed out on selection for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and Richie Vernon, Alasdair Dickinson, Moray Low, Robert Harley and Duncan Weir who were not involved during the recent November Internationals.
Scotland squad for training camp in Glasgow (January 20-23) ahead of Six Nations:
Backs: Peter Murchie, Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Sean Lamont, Tim Visser, Max Evans, Matt Scott, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Duncan Weir, Ruaridh Jackson, Tom Heathcote, Henry Pyrgos, Sean Kennedy, Greig Laidlaw.
Forwards: Alasdair Dickinson, Ryan Grant, Dougie Hall, Pat MacArthur, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Geoff Cross, Moray Low, Alastair Kellock, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Grant Gilchrist, Kelly Brown, Robert Harley, Ryan Wilson, Johnnie Beattie, David Denton, Richie Vernon, Chris Fusaro.
Comments
cuw3100 says...
Could PR come up with a list of all these NZ , SA , OZ players + any Pacific Islanders who will turn out for the 6Nations this time?
Seam Maitland was good at Crusaders - I mean u have to be good to start for the Crusaders :)
Posted 04:36 16th January 2013
Propmelsey says...
With all this talk about a new points system for the 6 nations, perhaps a better option would be to introduce some form of relegation ........
Posted 09:41 15th January 2013
marko72 says...
Some interesting selections, all in all as a passionate Irishman here's to a strong showing from my Scottish brethren, just not against us!
Posted 08:25 15th January 2013
Jp07 says...
Brilliant is not a relative term. This is not a brilliant squad. It's probably as good as we can put together and refreshing, to an extent (Sean Lamont should have been drooped in 2010) but brilliant it is not.
Posted 07:08 15th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Southwell? I mean he's only captained Wasps back into relevance again. Probably not a lot he could offer in terms of leadership in a young back-line that scores about as often as the kids at the checkers table. And Barclay? Where might he be on this list? You can have as many quality 8-men as you like but you can't force them all to be open-side flanks.
Posted 02:22 15th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
Pyrgos at 9 and Jackson at 10....just don't put in Weir, he's very ordinary.
Posted 19:01 14th January 2013
melkdave says...
Good to see form and the future are the driving forces of the squad,Would have liked to see Rennie,Welshe,in the mix but i guess stil coming back from injury,also bit syrprised R.Ford is still there,his not been performing for quite a few years imo,espically in the lineout,but guess his there for his experiance Starting XV
1)R.Grant
2)D.all
3)G.Cross
4)R.Grey
5)J.Hamilton
6)K.Brown
7)C.Fusaro
8)J.Beattie
9)G.Laidlaw
10)R.Jackson
11)T.Vissier
12)M.Scott
13)A.Dunbar
14)M.Evans
15)S.Maitland
Bench E.Murray,R.FordA.Dickinson,G.Gilchrist,R.Veron,H.Pyrgos,S,Hogg,T.Seymour
Posted 18:33 14th January 2013
stumpy says...
Brillaint squad. Cant think of any complaints!
Posted 17:14 14th January 2013
APV1 says...
I'm still upset that Heathcote chose Scotland over England.
I'm reminded of the scene in Monty Python's The Holy Grail - The Peoples' Front of Judea...
"Splitter!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS-0Az7dgRY
(Please excuse their language)
;-)
Posted 17:08 14th January 2013
atg77 says...
Fairly happy with that... nothing too unexpected and good to see Beatie, Dickenson and Vernon back in there. Really dissapointing Alex Grove didn't make it, apparently playing well for Wocester at the moment. Sean Lamont's inclusion really baffles me... no pace, can't pass and is getting no younger. With Visser, Hogg, Maitland and Evans to choose from, it will be Scotland's strongest back three Since Hastings, Stanger and Tukalo 23 years ago.
Posted 16:19 14th January 2013
Propmelsey says...
With a bit of luck .. and a lot of effort i think the Jock's should just about be able to hang on to 6th place in this years tournament ....... "We've chosen this squad with two parameters uppermost in our minds: current form and looking to the future," .......There's no pulling the wool over Scott Johnson's eyes is there ...... he'll be helping out Gatland with coaching the Lions with an attitude like that!!! ... I wonder if he's got any British or Irish grandparents ......
Posted 15:56 14th January 2013
sbobrfc says...
Maitland's name was in the squad when he was still on the flight!
Posted 13:46 14th January 2013
spam says...
Good start, I think some of these uncapped players should even be in the starting 15. Glad to see Beattie back and Fusaro get his chance. Tonks may be a bit unlucky but Glasgow have been much better over the last couple of years and their backs should be given a shot (Edinburgh fan)
Posted 13:45 14th January 2013
scot_rsa says...
Like a breath of fresh air, probably the squad all Scotland fans wanted. Is Fusaro back from injury then? Would have been good to see Jon Welsh back as well but can't complain, this is very positive. Just reward for Glasgow players, and that from an Edinburgh fan! Development is the theme so not expecting miracles but we should start to see a Scottish game that will lift fans again. Let's hope.
Posted 13:34 14th January 2013
Houston_11 says...
Moray Low back in the squad!? Don't really see that as looking to the future.
The change up in the backs however is great to see for Scotland - good to see Sean Kennedy picked. Will most likely just miss out even though he's better than Pyrgos in my opinion.
Definitely one for the future.
Posted 12:59 14th January 2013