Nine Edinburgh players have been included in the Scotland squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship that was announced by head coach Andy Robinson on Wednesday.
Centre Nick De Luca wins a spot after recently returning to the capital club’s starting line-up following a groin injury, while 101-cap Chris Paterson and scrum-halves Mike Blair and Greig Laidlaw also make the 34-man group.
Representing the Edinburgh pack will be props Allan Jacobsen and Geoff Cross, hooker Ross Ford, lock Scott MacLeod and flanker Ross Rennie.
Nine Edinburgh players have also been included in the Scotland A squad to prepare for the match against Irish Wolfhounds at Netherdale on Friday 28 January (kick-off 7.30pm, admission FREE).
David Blair, Ben Cairns, John Houston, Lee Jones and Jim Thompson are the backs named, alongside forwards Roddy Grant, Alan MacDonald, Stuart McInally and Fraser McKenzie.
Some players from the Scotland squad will be part of the Scotland A team. An announcement on players who will join up with the A squad will be made early next week.
Robinson today named three uncapped players in his Scotland squad for the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
The trio are the Glasgow Warriors forwards, 24-year-old loosehead prop Jon Welsh and 20-year-old flanker/lock Robert Harley, and the 23-year-old Bath back, Jack Cuthbert, who qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow born mother. All three have won promotion from the Scotland A team that defeated the USA Eagles 25-0 back in November.
They are named in a 34-strong squad that will convene at St Andrews for a three day camp next week to begin preparations for the opening match in the championship – away to reigning champions France on Saturday 5 February
Included in the squad, as well, is No 8 Johnnie Beattie who missed the EMC Autumn Tests on account of shoulder surgery from which he has recently returned to the fray, while wing Simon Danielli, who was absent in the Autumn after problems with the same joint, also returns.
Robinson said today: “There’s always excitement in the air at this time of year as we look forward to the RBS 6 Nations Championship.
“Selection reflects both current form and the performances of a number of players during our matches in the autumn.
“I’ve been impressed by Robert Harley since I first saw him play in a pro-team back-up game some seasons back. He has performed consistently for Glasgow this season in a position where we have strength and there is considerable competition for a starting place.
“Jon Welsh is another who has benefited from raising his game in the face of intense competition and has a good work ethic.
“Jack Cuthbert has had a really good couple of months having won his place in the Bath first XV. He was also on duty during the Nations Cup in Romania last summer and I’ve said often enough that players who perform for Scotland A are very much in the frame.”
Scotland squad for training camp at St Andrews beginning Monday 24 January:
Backs – Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Jack Cuthbert (Bath), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) and Nikki Walker (Ospreys).
Forwards – John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie (both Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Robert Harley (all Glasgow Warriors), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) and Richie Vernon and Jon Welsh (both Glasgow Warriors).
Not considered due to injury: Chris Cusiter and Graeme Morrison (both Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson and Jim Hamilton (both Gloucester) and Phil Godman (Edinburgh).
Additional players for the Scotland A squad to prepare for game v Irish Wolfhounds, Netherdale, Galashiels, Friday 28 January, kick-off 7.30pm. Admission to this game will be FREE.
Backs – David Blair, Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), John Houston, Lee Jones (both Edinburgh), Peter Murchie and Hefin O’Hare, Colin Shaw (all Glasgow Warriors) and Jim Thompson (Edinburgh).
Forwards – Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald, Stuart McInally and Fraser McKenzie (all Edinburgh), Alastair Muldowney, Fergus Thomson and Ryan Wilson (all Glasgow Warriors).
Tickets for all Scotland’s home games in the RBS 6 Nations Championship – against Wales on Saturday 12 February (kick-off 5pm); v Ireland on Sunday 27 February (kick-off 3pm); and v Italy on Saturday 19 March (kick-off 2.30pm) are on sale now.
For the Wales and Ireland game they cost £30, £51 and £71.50 for adults and £15, £25 and £36 for under-18s.
For the Italy game adult tickets are £30, £41 and £71.50. Tickets for under-18s and students are £15, £25 and £36.
You can buy your tickets online at www.scottishrugby.org; via our dedicated 24-hour ticket hotline (Tel: 0844 335 3933); or in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Murrayfield Stadium, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh during office hours.
Please note there is a booking fee for credit card transactions and that there are no ticket sales on match day.
