Scotland coach Townsend reveals World Cup training squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend named an extended 41-man training squad ahead of this year’s World Cup in France.
Townsend’s squad, led by captain Jamie Ritchie, will be trimmed to a 33-player list ahead of the sport’s quadrennial showpiece, which starts in September.
Former captains Stuart Hogg and Stuart McInally, who announced recently that they would retire afer the World Cup, are included.
In a squad of few major surprises, Glasgow back Stafford McDowall and Leicester lock Cam Henderson are the only uncapped players.
Edinburgh wing Darcy Graham and Glasgow flank Rory Darge are both back in the group after missing the Six Nations through injury but Exeter second row Jonny Gray has not been included after suffering a knee injury.
The squad will gather for an initial training camp on May 29 to begin preparations for warm-up matches at home to Italy, France and Georgia and away to the French, in July and August.
Scotland are in a daunting group alongside world champions South Africa, top-ranked Ireland, Tonga and Romania. Their first match is against the Springboks in Marseille on September 10.
