Scotland name three uncapped players for autumn internationals
Gregor Townsend has named the squad for autumn internationals
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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named three-uncapped players in the squad for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Scarlets back-row Blade Thomson, Exeter Chiefs lock Sam Skinner and Glasgow Warriors centre Sam Johnson have all been named in the 40-man squad for the first time.
Skinner represented England at Under 20 level but qualifies to play for Scotland through his father while Thomson is eligible through his parental grandfather. Meanwhile, Johnson is eligible to represent the Dark Blues on residency grounds after joining Glasgow Warriors in 2015.
Alex Dunbar, Jonny Gray, Huw Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Ryan Wilson and Hamish Watson all have returned to the squad after missing the summer tour due to injury or scheduled rest.
“We now begin the last 12 months of our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019 with four Test matches in four weeks, a similar challenge to the one we’ll face in Japan," said Townsend.
“We’ve named a 40-man group for this campaign, which highlights the quality of player that is now available to us and the competition for places.
“It also enables us to welcome more players into our training environment and hopefully give a few more players a taste of Test match rugby.
“It’s going to be an exciting year for the squad but our primary focus is fixed on performing well against Wales – familiar opponents who have already recorded a win against us this year.”
Matt Scott and Henry Pyrgos also make a comeback to the side for the first time this year. Meanwhile, Laidlaw is set to miss the tour opener against Wales after Clermont decided against releasing him for the fixture that falls outside the international window.
After facing Wales at Millennium Stadium on 3rd November, Scotland will take on Fiji, South Africa and Argentina on 10th, 17th and 24th November at Murrayfield.
Scotland squad:
Forwards : Alex Allan, Simon Berghan, Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, David Denton, Matt Fagerson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Murray McCallum, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Sam Skinner, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson
Backs : Alex Dunbar, Dougie Fife, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Pete Horne, Sam Johnson, Huw Jones, Lee Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Byron McGuigan, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Matt Scott, Tommy Seymour
