Six Nations: Scotland add Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke to squad as Jonny Gray returns from injury

Scotland have called up uncapped Saracens center Fergus Burke to their Six Nations squad.

Head coach Gregor Townsend announced on Wednesday an expanded squad of 37 players who will be assembled ahead of the World Cup opener at home to Italy on February 1.

New Zealand-born Burke is also eligible to feature for the All Blacks or England and has impressed since joining Saracens from Crusaders last year.

Glasgow forward Jack Mann is the only uncapped player selected, while Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry have also been recalled.

Glasgow captain Keir Stein has been sidelined through injury in recent days and is the most notable absentee in Townsend’s squad.

Burke is eligible to play for Scotland by virtue of his Glasgow-born grandfather’s heritage, but he could also play for England thanks to his mother.

The 25-year-old will compete with Scotland star player Finn Russell, with Tom Jordan another option in the No. 10 role.

Back-rower Mann, also 25, has been playing in the No.8 jersey for Glasgow recently while Jack Dempsey is injured, although the latter has returned to fitness and been included in the Scotland squad, despite not having played in the Scotland squad since November’s defeat to South Africa. The team has not participated in a competition since.

Gray’s selection is notable almost two years after he won the last of 77 games in the Six Nations at home to Italy in March 2023.

The 30-year-old No. 2 will miss the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury and appeared to have cut himself off under Townsend when the manager expressed “disappointment” in October that he declined an autumn call-up. Series after returning to Bordeaux earlier this season.

Another player recalled for the upcoming championship is 34-year-old Cherry, who has not been included in any squad since exiting the 2023 World Cup early after suffering a concussion following a fall on an off-day. The day after coming on as a substitute in the group opener against South Africa, he stayed at the team hotel in Nice.

Sione Tuipulotu, who was appointed captain for the autumn series, continues as captain, with Russell and Rory Darge appointed vice-captains.

scotland team

forward: Ivan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Batty (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Luke Crosby (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Rory Dutch (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Xander Fagerson (Grass Brother), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Bordeaux), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Will Hurd (Leicester), Jack Mann (Glasgow), Darcy Ray (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoolman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh) .

Back: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Matt Currie (Edinburgh), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowell (Glasgow), Finn Ra Sale (Bath), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).