Scotland have called up Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke in their Six Nations squad.
On Wednesday, head coach Gregor Townsend announced an expanded 37-man squad to be assembled ahead of their tournament opener against Italy on February 1.
New Zealand-born Burke, also eligible to represent the All Blacks or England, has impressed since joining Saracens from the Crusaders last year.
Glasgow striker Jack Mann is the only other player selected without a squad, while there are notable recalls for Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry.
Unknown striker Jack Mann is in the 37-man squad
Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn is the most notable absentee from Townsend’s squad after suffering an injury in recent days.
Burke qualifies to play for Scotland because of his Glasgow-born grandfather’s pedigree, but could also play for England thanks to his mother.
The 25-year-old will provide competition for Scotland star Finn Russell, with the other option being number 10 Tom Jordan.
Back-rower Mann, also 25, has recently played at number eight in Glasgow, while Jack Dempsey has been out injured, although the latter is back fit and included in the Scotland squad despite not playing a match since the defeat to South Africa in November.
Gray’s inclusion is notable as he won the last of his 77 caps almost two years ago, in the home Six Nations against Italy in March 2023.
The 30-year-old second-row player, who missed the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury, appeared to have burned his bridges under Townsend when the manager expressed his “disappointment” in October that he had opted out of the autumn draft. series after returning to action against Bordeaux earlier this season.
Jonny Gray has been listed for almost two years without an international appearance
Another player with a surprise recall for the upcoming championship is Chery, 34, who has not been included in any squad since pulling out of the 2023 World Cup after suffering concussion in a fall on the stairs at the Nice team hotel in the pool opener against South Africa the day after the exit.
Sione Tuipulotu, who was named captain for the autumn series, continues as skipper, while Russell and Rory Darg have been appointed as vice-captains.
Scotland team
Attackers. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Luke Crosby (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Bordeaux), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Will Hurd (Leicester), Jack Mann (Glasgow), D’Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh).
Backs. Fergus Burke (Saracens), Matt Curry (Edinburgh), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Hugh Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).
Six Nations 2025 games. Scotland
- February 1 Italy (h)
- February 9 Ireland (h)
- February 22. Englishand (a)
- March 8 Wales (h)
- March 15: France (a)
