Scotland include four uncapped players in Six Nations squad

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has named four uncapped players in the 39-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

Exeter Chiefs loosehead prop Alec Hepburn, who last played for England in 2018 makes it to the squad after qualifying to play for Scotland through his father along with former England U18 and U20 international winger Arron Reed.

"Alec has always been an excellent player. He scrums well and we are delighted he was available for us to select," Townsend said.

"It has really been in the last few months at Leicester that Will has established the type of player he is – a strong scrummager who hits hard in defence and works really hard."

The duo will be joined by prop Will Hurd and back Harry Paterson in the four players to be called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.

"Aaron has been playing regularly for Sale and I met him on a number of occasions to see where he fitted in on our depth chart. He has moved right up that," Townsend said.

"He brings real effort and speed, with an exciting attacking ability and he is good in defence.

"We have been impressed with Harry, he brings an edge to his game but is an excellent attacker with a good kicking game and can play anywhere in the back three."

The squad also boasts plenty of experience with Adam Hastings joins Finn Russell and Ben Healy as the fly-half options while Ben White, Ali Price and George Horne will compete for the number nine jersey. Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Cameron Redpath and Rory Hutchinson are the midfield options chosen by Townsend, who is yet to announce the captain.

Jamie Ritchie, who led the team in the World Cup is named in the squad despite recovering from an injury. Overall, the squad comprises of 135 players from Glasgow and 13 from Edinburgh with the remaining 11 plying their trade overseas.

Scotland will kick-start their Six Nations campaign with a clash against Wales on 3rd February.

Scotland Six Nations squad:

Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Andy Christie, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Alec Hepburn, Will Hurd, Johnny Matthews, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Sam Skinner, George Turner, Glen Young

Backs: Adam Hastings, Ben Healy, George Horne, Darcy Graham, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Harry Paterson, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Arron Reed, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.