Seven uncapped players in Scotland's 41-man training squad

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has included seven uncapped players in the 41-man training squad ahead of the new season.

The squad that also has six injured Scotland players including Stuart Hogg will undergo two days of training in St Andrews from Sunday.

Darcy Graham, Matt Fagerson, Phil Burleigh, Jamie Bhatti, Anton Bresler, Scott Cummings and Jamie Ritchie will get their first opportunity to train with the Dark Blues and Townsend is excited by the talent the squad possess.

"He has always thrived playing at a high level. Whether that's under-20s a year ago and looking very good, to playing at senior level, he's someone who wants to take on opposition with ball in hand," said Townsend on Graham, who impressed in his training with Edinburgh.

"He is difficult to tackle and has the ability to play right across the back three.

"I know from Richard Cockerill, and having watched some of the Edinburgh sessions, that he is looking really good so far.

"It's obviously a look into the long-term, giving him a taste and working alongside some quality.

"Having Stuart Hogg at camp giving him some advice, we hope it will do him good for his own development to be in the camp next week."

Fagerson is also another product of the Under-20 team but has been a contracted player with Glasgow Warriors since 2016 - a club where Townsend was in charge previously.

"Matt has played professional rugby for Glasgow Warriors, even though he is a year younger than Darcy," he said.

"Darcy is now a full pro at Edinburgh and will get his opportunities I'm sure in pre-season.

"Both played very well for Scotland Under-20s and have something about them, whether it's ability or mentality, but they thrive playing at a high level and we want to see them in our camp and see first-hand how they compare with the guys who have played Test rugby before."

Hogg is currently recovering from a shoulder surgery that he sustained while playing for the British and Irish Lions and he is joined by Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, David Denton, Jonny Gray and Rob Harley, who are also in a rehabilitation phase from their respective injuries. Richie Gray, who suffered a back injury missed out on the training camp.

Despite a number of injury concerns, Townsend is upbeat about a bright future for Scottish Rugby.

"I would love to have put together a squad of 60 for this camp.

"I think we're at a really good time for Scottish rugby, that there's a lot of very good players who can play Test rugby available to us.

"We kept the numbers down, but there are a few we invited to train who are injured - and we wanted to get to know them better and for them to spend time with us.

"There are a few who didn't make this squad who we know and have already played a few games for Scotland and that's what we're looking to see from them.

"We want to see the best rugby from all our players to make it harder for us to pick a team come November."