The Scotland rugby union team more or less picks itself these days. From Pierre Schoeman at No 1 to Blair Kinghorn at 15, it is a tried and trusted line-up with serious experience.
So when Gregor Townsend announces his squad for the Six Nations Championship on Wednesday afternoon, there will be a lot of familiar names in there. But the head coach has always been keen on increasing the competition for places. And that means he may well include some up-and-coming, uncapped players along with his big names.
They might not figure in the opening match against Italy on Saturday , February 1. But later in the tournament, when injuries mount and fresh legs are called for, Townsend will want them to be ready to take their chance. Some established players will also miss out on the Murrayfield match against the Italians – either because they are just coming back from injury or still on the treatment table.
And a few who are fit will simply not be chosen – either because Townsend reckons they are off form, or because he thinks other players have overtaken them. Here is Record Sport’s guide to the probable ins and outs…
Newbies
New Zealander Fergus Burke qualifies for Scotland thanks to having a grandfather from Glasgow. The stand-off moved from his own country to London club Saracens last year, and his mum is from Dover so he could also play for England. But Townsend is keen on recruiting Burke as back-up for Finn Russell.
Glasgow No 8 Jack Mann has been in ferocious form over the past few games after putting a horrendous run of injuries behind him. The back row is the most competitive part of the team, but the 25-year-old will fight all the way to earn a place.
Mann’s Warriors team-mate Gregor Hiddleston looks ready to step up after making his debut for Scotland ‘A’ in November. He has a lot of competition at hooker from more experienced rivals, but could end up the best of the current crop.
Leicester lock Cameron Henderson has just the one cap at the moment – from a 2023 World Cup warm-up game. But he has bounced back well this season from a serious knee injury.
Injuries
Another uncapped player who might have been a contender is Warriors lock Jare Oguntibeju. A leg injury has sidelined him for a few weeks, so he will have to make his comeback at club level first – but make no mistake, his time will come.
Glasgow stand-off Adam Hastings – who was banned from driving for six months yesterday after admitting using a mobile while behind the wheel – is still out with a facial injury. He might be back later in the Championship.
But there is better news about Warriors No 8 Jack Dempsey, who could make his comeback from injury in Saturday night’s Champions Cup match against Harlequins. And if he also plays in Glasgow’s URC game against Connacht a week later, that could be enough for him to take his place in the Scotland side from matchday one.
Snubs
A few familiar faces will not be seen on our screens during this Six Nations. Ex-Glasgow forward Richie Gray now plays in Japan and Townsend has said the 35-year-old will not be considered for selection. Former Warriors hooker George Turner also now plays in Japan and looks unlikely to figure.
Richie’s younger brother Jonny Gray injured himself recently playing for Bordeaux – but he might well have been left out anyway after deciding he did not want to be picked for the Autumn Nations Series. And Edinburgh forward Hamish Watson could also miss out after losing his place at club level.