Daily Archives: 17 January 2018
Experienced scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw returns to a 40-man Scotland squad announced for the Six Nations.
Laidlaw, 32, has not played a Test for almost a year and is just returning from a broken leg.
John Barclay retains the captain’s role he took on when Laidlaw was injured during last season’s Six Nations.
Uncapped props Murray McCallum and D’Arcy Rae are included, along with fullback Blair Kinghorn and scrumhalf Nathan Fowles.
Head coach Gregor Townsend also recalls Dave Denton, Scott Lawson, Gordon Reid and Jon Welsh after long absences from the international scene.
But there is no room for Josh Strauss, Matt Scott and Tim Visser, while John Hardie is overlooked as he nears the end of a 3-month “gross misconduct” ban.
Wales have named uncapped pair James Davies and Josh Adams in their squad for the Six Nations.
Flanker Davies, 27, has been rewarded for his excellent form with Scarlets, while Worcester wing Adams is the top try scorer in the English Premiership.
Bath No 8 Taulupe Faletau is included despite being ruled out of the 1st 2 Rounds of the Six Nations with a knee injury.
Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts and Bath lock Luke Charteris are left out.
The 39-man squad is larger than usual, partly because of fitness concerns over a handful of players.