There is one other uncapped player in the 36-man squad, Glasgow Warriors’ openside flanker Chris Fusaro, who was included in the Scotland squad at this stage last season and also before the 2013 Autumn Tests.

The squad contains 16 Glasgow Warriors, 11 from Edinburgh Rugby and nine Exiles.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson said: “We’ve been watching Dougie closely.

"He’s worked hard over the last 12 months, from being part of the A squad this time last year, to becoming a first-choice selection at Edinburgh Rugby and now to becoming a proven try scorer in the Rabo. He deserves this selection.

“We do have competition in the back-row and there are other players knocking on the door who may feature for the Scotland A team against England Saxons at the end of this month.

“Chris Fusaro had a terrific game in the Heineken Cup at the weekend and I’ve been impressed by just how explosive some of our back-row contenders have been in their club sides.”

Johnson made clear the squad announced today is for next week’s training which will take place primarily at the Heriot Watt University campus on the western outskirts of Edinburgh.

Scotland A squad to be announced next week

“We will announce an A squad next week for the match against England Saxons at Scotstoun at the end of the month and, as I see it, a number of players could yet force their way into the senior squad during the Six Nations,” he explained.

Tickets for Scotland’s Murrayfield match against France on Saturday 8 March (kick-off 5pm) are currently on public sale via this website; the credit-card hotline number 0844 335 3933; or in person from the Murrayfield Ticket Centre during office hours.

Scotland squad for training camp 19-22 January ahead of RBS 6 Nations Championship:
Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

Not considered due to injury: Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).

This article was posted on 16-Jan-2014, 11:18 by Hugh Barrow.