Influential back-rower Jack Dempsey has been named in the Scotland squad for this summer’s Nations Championship matches despite his impending move to Japan.
Gregor Townsend has opted for a largely familiar side but omitted some major names, with Toulouse back Blair Kinghorn and Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist both rested.
There is no place for Huw Jones and Jamie Ritchie, both of whom have been struggling with injuries, but most of Townsend’s other senior players have been included in a 36-man selection.
Two uncapped players, Glasgow hookers Seb Stephen and Gregor Hiddleston, have been called up for matches against South Africa, Argentina and Fiji next month.
There had been doubts over whether Dempsey would retain his place as he is leaving Glasgow to join Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo for next season.
Playing in Japan has previously proved problematic for those wishing to continue their international career due to a clash in the calendar.
George Turner and Richie Gray are recent examples of players not called up by Townsend while playing in the Far East but Dempsey has made the cut for this summer’s matches.
There is hope that the 32-year-old will also be available for the November Nations Championship matches but it remains to be seen if he will be able to feature in next year’s Six Nations.
While there is a general sense of familiarity about the squad named on Tuesday morning, the selections at hooker are most notable, with the established Ewan Ashman joined by Test rookies Stephen, 20, and Hiddleston, 24.
Duhan van der Merwe is included after an injury-disrupted season and will feature for the Barbarians later this month alongside Liam McConnell and D'arcy Rae before joining Scotland, while Darcy Graham returns after a week with GB Sevens squad.
Scotland squad for this summer’s Nations Championship matches
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Jonny Gray (Perpignan), Gregor Hiddleston (Glasgow), Will Hurd (Leicester), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Alex Samuel (Glasgow), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Seb Stephen (Glasgow), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Max Williamson (Glasgow).
Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Tom Jordan (Bristol), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Ollie Smith (Glasgow) Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).
With PA
