Scotland Six Nations squad: Gregor Townsend names Ben Healy among four uncapped players | Rugby Union News

Gregor Townsend has named a 40-player Scotland squad for the upcoming Six Nations; the panel includes four uncapped players, with Munster fly-half Ben Healy eligible through his maternal grandparents

Ben Healy has been included in Scotland’s Six Nations squad after signing for Edinburgh from Munster

Ben Healy is one of four uncapped players included in Gregor Townsend’s 40-player Scotland squad for the Six Nations.

The 23-year-old Munster stand-off, who will join Edinburgh in the summer, was born in Ireland and represented the U20s but qualifies for Scotland through his maternal grandparents and will provide back-up for Finn Russell at number 10.

Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie, Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall and Leicester second-row Cameron Henderson are the other three included who are yet to feature for the national team.

Hamish Watson and Zander Fagerson are included despite being sidelined by injury in recent months, but Darcy Graham, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge and Adam Hastings – who have also been battling fitness issues – have not made the squad.

Jamie Ritchie, who captained Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series, continues in that role, while familiar of Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg are all named.

Finn Russell will have competition from Healy for the no.10 shirt

Townsend is excited for the year ahead as preparations for the World Cup continue, with one eye also on Healy to see what he makes of the opportunity that has been given to him.

“The Six Nations around the corner is a very exciting time and the one year out of the four we as coaches can’t wait for is the World Cup year.

“I think rugby is so competitive within the Six Nations but also world rugby so really, really fortunate and grateful to be involved.

“Well, just over the last two or three weeks, Ben played really well off the bench against Ulster and then the following week started against the Lions and I was impressed with him that night.

“He’s a different player to the 10s we have had in the squad but he is a very good attacker, both in terms of the system and his own individual strengths, and he has a very good kicking game.

“To have someone we can call on of Ben’s ability when we have lost Adam Hastings and Ross Thompson to injuries is a real positive.”

Scotland get their Six Nations campaign underway with a visit to Twickenham to face England on 4 February before a home clash against Wales (February 11) in the second round.

A trip to France then awaits (February 11) before two home ties against Ireland (March 12) and Italy (March 18) to finish their tournament.

Scotland’s 40-man 2023 Six Nations squad

Forwards (23): Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 6 caps, Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps, Simon Berghan (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps, Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps, Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 57 caps, Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps, Andy Christie (Saracens) 4 caps, Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps, Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps, Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps, Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 54 caps, Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 59 caps, Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 72 caps, Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 69 caps, Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped, WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 50 caps, Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 36 caps, Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps, Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) 3 caps, Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 22 caps, George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps, Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 54 caps

Backs (17): Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 39 caps, Ben Healy (Munster Rugby) uncapped, Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 96 caps, George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps, Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps, Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 38 caps, Sean Maitland (Saracens) 53 caps, Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) uncapped, Stafford McDowell (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped, Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 58 caps, Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 4 caps, Finn Russell (Racing 92) 65 caps, Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps, Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps, Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps, Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, Ben White (London Irish) 9 caps