Three uncapped players named in Scotland squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has selected three uncapped players, while George Turner is back among the Scotland squad for the tour to New Zealand and Fiji.

The three uncapped players are Glasgow Warriors prop Fin Richardson, Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke, and Montpellier number eight Alex Masibaka.

Burke’s club colleague, Andrew Onyeama-Christie, also returns for the first time since suffering a serious ankle injury on club duty last year.

Darcy Graham and Jamie Ritchie – who both missed out on the British and Irish Lions squad – are both included, while Rory Darge will captain the squad.

Matt Fagerson, Gregor Brown, and Grant Gilchrist have all been included despite missing the end of the season with injuries.

The squad, led by flanker Rory Darge, will take on the Māori All Blacks, Fiji, and Samoa in July.

“All three games will be big challenges, they’re going to be physical challenges,” Townsend said.

“We’re going to play against dynamic, powerful players that want to move the ball around. So a real test for our defence, but an opportunity for us to bring our strengths too.”

With Scotland placed only two places ahead of Fiji in the world rankings, Townsend said: “This more is even more relevant as the World Cup draw gets made after the November Tests, so we have two campaigns now to make sure we’re as higher placed as possible to give ourselves a draw where we’re seeded in the top six.”

Scotland squad

Backs
Fergus Burke
Matt Currie
Jamie Dobie
Darcy Graham
Adam Hastings
George Horne
Tom Jordan
Cameron Redpath
Stafford McDowall
Harry Paterson
Arron Reed
Kyle Rowe
Ollie Smith
Kyle Steyn
Ben White

Forwards
Ewan Ashman
Josh Bayliss
Gregor Brown
Matt Fagerson
Rory Darge (c)
Grant Gilchrist
Patrick Harrison
Cameron Henderson
Alec Hepburn
Will Hurd
Alexander Masibaka
Nathan McBeth
Elliot Millar Mills
Ben Muncaster
Andy Onyeama-Christie
Fin Richardson
Jamie Ritchie
Rory Sutherland
Marshall Sykes
George Turner
Max Williamson