Fife features for first foray
Uncapped 23-year-old Edinburgh wing Dougie Fife was named in a senior Scotland squad for the first time – ahead of the Six Nations next month.
Fife, a product of Edinburgh's development system and also nurtured by the Currie club, has been in prolific form for the capital pro-club, scoring five tries in his last seven outings.
There is one other uncapped player in the 36-man squad, Glasgow Warriors' openside flank Chris Fusaro, who was included in the Scotland squad at this stage last season and also before the 2013 year-end Tests.
The squad contains 16 Glasgow Warriors, 11 from Edinburgh and nine Exiles.
"We've been watching Dougie closely," Scotland coach Scott Johnson said of Fife.
"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 and now to becoming a proven try scorer in the Pro12. 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 European 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 Wednesday is for next week's training which will take place primarily at the Heriot Watt University campus on the western outskirts of Edinburgh.
"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.
Not considered due to injury: Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh).
Scotland squad:
Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), 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) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).
Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).
