Head Coach Gregor Townsend today named six uncapped players in a 33-man Scotland squad for the 2018 Summer Tour to Canada, USA and Argentina next month.
The potential debutants are split between the touring forwards and backs, with Edinburgh Rugby duo Lewis Carmichael and Jamie Ritchie joined by Glasgow Warriors back-row Matt Fagerson in the pack.
Glasgow Warriors half-backs George Horne and Adam Hastings earn the opportunity to continue a stellar debut season on the tour, alongside former Scotland U18 and Harlequins midfielder, James Lang, who also gets the call.
Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “There are twin goals for this tour – the first is to build on the work we’ve done so far this season and finish with improved performances. We also have the Rugby World Cup in our thoughts, as this will be our last tour before we leave for Japan next year.
“Touring and staying together for four weeks and experiencing different environments will be very informative – seeing how players get on with each other, how much they improve and how they rise to each challenge we face on tour.”
The squad, which has an average age of 25 and just two players aged 30 or above, also features notable absentees with Townsend giving a number of squad regulars an extended break, one year out from Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
With John Barclay rested, Townsend has handed the tour captaincy to hooker Stuart McInally for the first time, a just reward for consistently-impressive performances for club and country.
33-MAN SCOTLAND SQUAD FOR 2018 SUMMER TOUR
FORWARDS (18)
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 31 caps
Lewis Carmichael (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – 10 caps
David Denton (Worcester Warriors) – 39 caps
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 22 caps
Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 65 caps
Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers) – 1 cap
Murray McCallum (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby) – 17 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 36 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps
BACKS (15)
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps
Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons) – 2 caps
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 60 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 33 caps
Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
James Lang (Harlequins) – uncapped
Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks) – 3 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 21 caps
Unavailable through injury: Luke Crosbie (knee), John Hardie (back), Huw Jones (wrist surgery scheduled), Willem Nel (knee assessment / rehabilitation), Hamish Watson (shoulder).
2018 Summer Tour
Saturday 9 June: Canada v Scotland; Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton (kick-off 7.10pm)
Saturday 16 June: USA v Scotland; BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston (kick-off 7pm)
Weekend of 22 June: Argentina v Scotland; Estadio Centenario (kick-off 4.40pm)
*kick off local times.
Gregor Townsend’s views:
scottishrugby
Some interesting choices by Gregor Townsend on the uncapped players. Have never seen James Lang play so will be keen to see how he gets on. Lewis Carmichael has had a good season for Edinburgh and could be a good sub to have to cover lock and at a push flank. Not so sure the 19 year old Matt Fagerson should be there at his age playing back row at this level he should be getting a rest or playing for the U20s in France.
England’s Jones has been controversial picking Cipriani for the tour to South Africa after ignoring him for so long when he was in good form. Also controversially has picked Kiwi Brad Shields as well as Bryan Redpath’s son Cameron who is only 18, come on what is that all about surely England have enough of their own players that they don’t have to poach Scottish ones. He will probably name Redpath in one match day squad and that will be him capped for the Auld Enemy whether he actually comes on to play or not!
@ Bullscot:
Adam Hastings ……………………………”Oh no”……………………… not another one.
I take it, he is of the lineage of Scott and Gavin?
As for Brad Shields.
We will miss him here in Wellington for sure. But we wish him well in England. More than well actually.
The Rules of International Eligibility are a bit of a joke, considering that Brad has never …….ever……………… played a game in England. And is still under contract with The NZ Rugby Union.
Eddie Jones the Prince of Thieves.
But you have to love the guy. Of all the International Rugby Coaches I can remember…………………….. he gives the best Press Conferences/interviews.
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