Fit-again Richie Gray has been added to the Scotland squad for the remainder of the NatWest 6 Nations.
The experienced second-row forward returns from a long-term injury to be named in Gregor Townsend’s revised squad ahead of their final two fixtures against Ireland and Italy, with 10 players added in total.
Alex Dunbar, Zander Fagerson, Darryl Marfo and Fraser Brown – who all featured in last year’s autumn internationals – are also recalled after injuries, while George Horne has been handed a first senior call-up.
BREAKING | Gregor Townsend adds 10 players to a revised Scotland squad, with five of the new faces fit-to-play for the first time in the current campaign: Richie Gray, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Alex Dunbar, Darryl Marfo. George Horne earns first senior call-up. pic.twitter.com/1tjA4TIFtB
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 5, 2018
It caps an impressive season for Horne, whose older brother Pete is already in the squad, having scored 10 tries in his first 14 appearances for Glasgow this season to force his way into Townsend’s thinking.
Flanker John Hardie also returns to a 40-man squad following a three-month suspension earlier in the season by his club, Edinburgh, for alleged cocaine use.
??????? Congratulations to George Horne who has been called up to his first ever Scotland squad.
Fraser Brown, Alex Dunbar and Zander Fagerson have all also been recalled making it a total of 1⃣8⃣ Warriors in Gregor Townsend’s squad. pic.twitter.com/tVoRAaMhUr
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 5, 2018
Hardie returned to action against Leinster in February and has started the last two games to earn selection.
Byron McGuigan and Lee Jones return from hamstring and head injuries respectively to rejoin the group, while Magnus Bradbury has been recalled.
Scotland travel to Dublin this weekend looking to back up an impressive 25-13 win over England last time out before finishing their tournament in Rome a week later.
