Munster out-half Ben Healy has been named in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations - and could face Ireland in round four in Edinburgh.
The 23-year-old qualifies for Scotland through his mother's family and the former Ireland under-20 international made the decision to switch allegiances having failed to get a look in under Andy Farrell at Test level.
Healy, who joins Edinburgh in the summer despite Munster's efforts to retain him, will provide back-up to Finn Russell with Adam Hastings out injured, but he will also be fighting it out with Blair Kinghorn for game time in the championship.
READ MORE: Ben Healy looking forward to new adventure as departure to Edinburgh from Munster confirmed
The Tipperary man is one of four uncapped players in Gregor Townsend's squad, along with winger Ruaridh McConnochie, centre Stafford McDowall and second row Cameron Henderson.
With Joey Carbery and Jack Crowley poised to be included in Farrell's Six Nations squad that begins preparations next week for their opening fixture in Cardiff on February 4, Healy will remain with Munster for their URC game against Benetton next week before linking up with his new colleagues in Scotland camp.
“He brings recent form and experience playing at a high level and we feel he’s got Test match ability,” said Townsend.
“His kicking game is strong, he’s confident and he leads the attack well when he gets the opportunity to do that at Munster.
“It’s really the last two weeks prior to the weekend’s game (that helped him get in). It’s timely that his form has come at a time when he is committing to us.
“With Adam Hastings being injured, he now gets a chance to train with us and for us to see him.”
Meanwhile, returning Wales boss Warren Gatland has chosen 36-year-old hooker Ken Owens as his captain ahead of that eagerly-anticipated clash with Ireland, the world number one ranked team.
Gatland has also included four uncapped players in his 37-man squad for the championship.
"Ken’s incredibly experienced and a passionate Welshman – it means a lot to him to play for Wales. He’s also very popular with the players,” Gatland commented.
Wyn Jones, Dewi Lake and Liam Williams return from injury having missed the Autumn internationals, while lock Rhys Davies, centre Keiran Williams, wing Mason Grady and utility forward Teddy Williams are the uncapped players included.
Gatland has recalled Leon Brown, Rhys Carre, Rhys Patchell, Aaron Wainwright, Rhys Webb and Owen Williams to his first squad since taking over from Wayne Pivac.
“It’s probably a bigger squad than I’d normally name, but we want to have a good Six Nations and also look forward to the (2023) World Cup,” Gatland said.
“We’ve some youngsters that have come in and then we’ve some older very experienced players that we need to manage.
“It’s looking at the whole element for the squad and how we get the balance right, because that’s definitely going to be a challenge over the next 10 months.”
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