Townsend tweaks Scotland squad yet again
SQUAD UPDATE: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend added three players to his 2019 Six Nations squad.
Glasgow Warriors backs Rory Hughes (wing) and recent Scottish Rugby Academy graduate Stafford McDowall (centre) are joined by Edinburgh scrumhalf Henry Pyrgos in camp with the squad at Oriam in preparation for this Saturday’s championship opener against Italy at Murrayfield Stadium.
Glasgow Warriors trio Matt Smith (back-row), Alex Dunbar (centre) and Rob Harley (lock) – who were added to the squad last week – have been released back to the club.
Smith injured his shoulder in his club’s 9-3 win over Ospreys at Scotstoun, while wing Lee Jones sustained a knee injury, with a further update on Jones to follow in due course.
Glasgow Warriors front-row forwards Zander Fagerson (tighthead prop) and Fraser Brown (hooker) will join the squad in camp/training this week as their recovery from injury continues.
Uncapped 20-year-old centre McDowall represented Scotland at both Under-18 and U20 level before signing his first senior professional contract with Glasgow Warriors in December last year.
Weighing in over 100kg the centre has made the step up to professional rugby look seamless, impressing the Glasgow coaching staff with his physicality in both attack and defence.
When not playing for Glasgow, McDowall plays for Ayr in the Scottish Premiership.
McDowall was part of the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship squad in Georgia, where he helped his side to a best-ever finish of fifth place, before being named as captain for the 2018 edition of the tournament.
SQUAD UPDATE | Scotland add three to Guinness Six Nations squad: Rory Hughes, recent #FosrocAcademy graduate Stafford McDowall & Henry Pyrgos join the squad at Oriam ahead of this Saturday’s sold-out opener v Italy at BT Murrayfield #AsOne
➡️ https://t.co/F8FvrONF4A pic.twitter.com/bcoYXHjOuD
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 28, 2019
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