SIX NATIONS: Rising Glasgow star Ruaridh Jackson has been named in Frank Hadden's 33-man Scotland squad ahead of this year's RBS 6 Nations Championship where they face favourites Wales in the opening game.
Jackson, 20, is one of two uncapped players in a squad along with Edinburgh prop Geoff Cross, who was named in a provisional squad for the autumn internationals, as the other rookie.
Jackson is a versatile back who has been selected at outhalf where he has made only one senior start for Glasgow, but will but compete with club team mate Dan Parks and Edinburgh's Phil Godman for the number 10 spot in the starting lineup.
"It's important to have Ruaridh in the squad", said Hadden. "He's a young, talented player with a lot of potential and needs exposure at this level."
Impressive club form in the Heineken Cup has earned locks Craig Hamilton and Alastair Kellock recalls to a squad that will be hoping to improve on last year's fifth place.
Scotland forwards coach Mike Brewer said of Kellock: "He has improved hugely in the contact area and international rugby is about what you achieve at the break down."
Flanker Jason White, who had hand surgery, makes the selection but there is no place for lock Scott MacLeod who has played little rugby for club side Llanelli after being cleared in November of doping following an irregular test.
"There is no way Scott could be considered given his lack of rugby. There is a chance he may play for his club this week," Hadden added.
Hadden is also without forward Matt Mustchin (ankle) and backs Rory Lamont (ankle) and Nikki Walker (hamstring) due to injury.
Looking ahead to Scotland's opening game against Wales at Murrayfield on February 8th, Hadden said:
"We're delighted to have a home game for our first match. They're (Wales) the defending champions and they're coming off a good autumn test series. And they have a star-studded side that contains a lot of likely Lions."
“I'm delighted by the number of players who are putting up their hands as genuine candidates for international selection,” added the coach.
"Momentum is vital in such a short round of matches, so we know the importance of starting well and getting a big Scottish crowd behind us."
The squad will meet up on Monday before they undergo a three-day training camp.
Scotland squad:
Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Thom Evans, Max Evans, Phil Godman, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson, Hugo Southwell, Simon Webster.
Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Scott Gray, Dougie Hall, Craig Hamilton, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Euan Murray, Alasdair Strokosch, Simon Taylor, Jason White.
