GREGOR TOWNSEND has called upon two proven warhorses from previous campaigns to bolster his Scotland pack, with 35-year-old hooker Dave Cherry (Vannes) and 31-year-old Jonny Gray (Union Bordeaux Bègles) being named in the 40-man training squad which will begin preparation for the 2026 Six Nations next week.
Notable absentees from the initial Autumn training squad include Saracens back-row Andy Onyeama-Christie,, Glasgow Warriors second-row Alex Samuel and Sale Sharks winger Arron Reed.
Glasgow hooker Gregor Hiddleston, Bath centre Cam Redpath, Leicester Tigers second-row Cam Henderson and teenage tight-head prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty were also in the selection mix but didn’t make the cut.
All those players apart from Samuel have been named in the Scotland ‘A’ squad to play an Italy XV the night before the senior team’s opener (6.30pm on 6th February).