Scotland named uncapped trio Rory Hutchinson, Grant Stewart and Blade Thomson in their 42-man training squad for this year’s World Cup in Japan.
Head coach Gregor Townsend called up centre Rory Hutchinson after a fine season with English Premiership side Northampton Saints, while hooker Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors) and No. 8 Blade Thomson (Scarlets) were recalled.
“Today’s selection is a good indication of the depth and level of competition we currently have in Scotland,” Townsend said in a statement.
The group included 14 players who featured in the 31-man squad that reached the quarterfinal of the 2015 tournament in England, with Townsend likely to add two more players.
“We made a conscious decision to keep squad numbers low, which enables us to do more work with those most likely to be on the plane to Japan,” Townsend added.
“We’re really excited to work with this group of players who will now compete hard for a place in the final 31-man group going to the World Cup.”
Scotland play two Tests each against France and Georgia starting in August, before taking on Ireland in their World Cup Pool A opener in Yokohama on Sept. 22.
Full Scotland Squad:
Forwards (23):
John Barclay, Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Gary Graham, Jonny Gray, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Sam Skinner, Grant Stewart, Josh Strauss, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.
Backs (19):
Darcy Graham, Nick Grigg, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Pete Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Byron McGuigan, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor.