Gregor Townsend insists that his Scotland squad for the autumn internationals are based on 'consistency' as he makes some big calls on his latest group.
Stuart Hogg returns after being rested for the summer tour to Argentina but it won't be in his role as captain. Fly-half Finn Russell's up and down relationship with Townsend continues and although unavailable for the first match against Australia, which falls outside the Test window, is a surprise omission for the games against Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina in November.
Hogg walked out prior to the Six Nations in 2020 and publicly criticised the coach's methods and after making up with each other, was dropped by Townsend from the starting line-up for 2021's Six Nations finale against Ireland days after going on an unauthorised night out at an Edinburgh bar with five other players. Jamie Ritchie is the new captain for Scotland, who play Australia a week on Saturday.
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Head coach Townsend said: "We can't wait. It seems like the long time since the tour. We learned a lot and we want to put that into practice over the next four weeks."
Scotland begin their run of four matches at Murrayfield against Australia before hosting Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks), Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby), Andy Christie (Saracens), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Haining (Edinburgh Rugby), WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors)Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby).
Backs: Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby), Adam Hastings (Gloucester Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), Rufus McLean (Glasgow Warriors), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby), Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Thompson (Glasgow Warriors), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby), Ben White (London Irish).
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