Scotland bolstered by star back’s return as five players added ahead of England clash
Blair Kinghorn celebrating a Scotland try during the Rugby World Cup.
Scotland have added five players to their squad and released three ahead of their Calcutta Cup showdown with England in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Magnus Bradbury, Alex Craig, Blair Kinghorn, WP Nel and Hamish Watson have joined up with Scotland’s squad, replacing Josh Bayliss, Javan Sebastian and Ross McCann.
Bath back-rower Bayliss is sidelined with concussion, but concerns in that position are eased by the arrival of both Bradbury (Bristol) and Edinburgh stalwart Hamish Watson.
Blair Kinghorn back from injury
Meanwhile, Toulouse full-back Kinghorn has recovered from the injury that ruled him out of the opening games and he has met up with the group at the start of the week.
In the second-row, Craig (Scarlets) comes in for the injured Richie Gray. Craig has two Scotland caps, playing twice in 2021, including the famous away win over France.
Up front, Edinburgh prop Nel recovers from his injury and replaces Sebastian.
Unfortunately for Scotland, star wing Darcy Graham remains out of the Six Nations squad after sustaining a groin injury last week and is subject to further assessment.
England lose key playmaker for Calcutta Cup but Ollie Lawrence in contention to start
Scotland will determined to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Les Bleus in Round Two, which came after they beat Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
A home win over England would give their Six Nations campaign a massive shot in the arm as they look to wrestle the title off of Ireland, who they play in Dublin in Round Five.
Scotland have been in possession of the famous Calcutta Cup since defeating England in 2021 and a win over their bitter rivals would give them four years’ bragging rights.
Updated Scotland squad for Six Nations
Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Bhatti, Alex Craig, Andy Christie, Scott Cummings, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge (cc), Grant Gilchrist, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Alec Hepburn, Johnny Matthews, Elliot Millar-Mills, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Sam Skinner, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Glen Young
Backs: Ben Healy, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Harry Paterson, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Arron Reed, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell (cc), Kyle Steyn, Ross Thompson, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White
