Richie Gray and John Hardie return as Scotland announce squad to play Ireland in Six Nations

By Joe Shread

Scotland skills coach Mike Blair is pleased with the strength in depth of the squad after several players returned from injury and suspension

Scotland have announced a revised training squad ahead of their Six Nations game against Ireland on Saturday, with Richie Gray included for the first time this campaign following his calf injury.

John Hardie, who was banned for three months in the autumn for gross misconduct, returns to the squad following his suspension.

Gregor Townsend has also recalled Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Alex Dunbar and Darryl Marfo, who are all fit to play following injury.

Image: Hardie was banned for three months for 'gross misconduct'

George Horne, the Glasgow Warriors scrum-half who is the brother of Scotland fly-half Peter, receives his first call-up to the national side.

Magnus Bradbury has received a recall, while Byron McGuigan and Lee Jones, who were suffering from hamstring and head injuries respectively, also return. Tim Visser (head) and Rob Harley (wrist) miss out with their respective injuries.

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Image: Mike Blair is keen for the new additions to the Scotland squad to be given opportunities to see how they perform in an international environment

Skills coach Mike Blair said: "We've got some guys coming back from injury but I think we've always had pretty big squads. It's important for us to give guys opportunities and see how they'll fit in."

When asked about Hardie and Horne's call-ups, Blair said: "John's a fantastic player. He's got good pedigree and a good history of playing with Scotland. When you've got a player like that available it would be silly not to have him involved.

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"He's had his time off. We're here to help him focus on the rugby.

Centre Nick Grigg says there is healthy competition within the Scotland squad for places in the starting fifteen for their next Six Nations game against Ireland

"George has had a really big impact on the season. Every opportunity he's had, he's taken. He's got an incredible amount of energy and that lifts the players around him.

"There's still parts of his game that we'll be looking at. But in terms of a raw talent and will to win, he's excellent."

The latest squad includes 40 names, which could lead to players sweating over their places in the team.

Image: Nick Grigg has played two Tests for his adopted home nation, Scotland

However, Nick Grigg, who made his Six Nations debut off the bench in the win over England, insists that is part and parcel of rugby.

He said: "There's quite a few people at training this week. There's always going to be competition and everyone's really competitive.

"That's why we play the sport - because we want to win and we want to get that position. There's no bad vibes, we all get along."

Forwards: John Barclay (Scarlets), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), David Denton (Worcester Warriors), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Toulouse), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Darryl Marfo (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby), Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (London Irish), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)

Backs: Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)

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