Six Nations 2024: Scotland squad includes Alec Hepburn and Arron Reed

Sale winger Arron Reed tackles Northampton's Rory Hutchinson, who is one of five centres named in the Scotland squad

Exeter Chiefs' former England prop Alec Hepburn has been named in Scotland's squad for the Six Nations.

The loosehead prop, 30, last played for England in 2018 and is eligible through his father, who was born in Scotland.

Sale Sharks' former England Under-20 winger Arron Reed, 24, is also in the 39-strong squad along with versatile Edinburgh back Harry Paterson, 22.

Hamish Watson and Chris Harris, both British and Irish Test Lions in 2021, are not injured and have been dropped.

Leicester Tigers' tighthead prop Will Hurd, 24, is the fourth uncapped player selected by coach Gregor Townsend.

Chester-born Reed, 24, is included because the serious injury to Ollie Smith deprives Townsend of a back-three option.

Kyle Rowe, who has impressed for Glasgow since joining from London Irish, is also in the pool along with Kyle Steyn despite the Warriors winger being an injury concern.

Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Bhatti are the other looseheads - with no place for another British and Irish Lion, Rory Sutherland - with Zander Fagerson and WP Nel the other tightheads.

Johnny Matthews' form for Glasgow has got him the nod over Dave Cherry, with Ewan Ashman and George Turner the other hookers.

Lock Cameron Henderson, one of the new faces in 2023's Six Nations squad, has a serious knee injury but Townsend can call on the experienced trio of Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings.

Sam Skinner returned from injury for Edinburgh for his first appearance of the season last weekend and is included along with club-mate Glen Young, who returns to the squad having last been capped against Argentina in 2022.

Jonny Gray has not played for Exeter since injuring his knee against La Rochelle in April last year.

Scotland back-row players have been ravaged by injury this season but the big names have all been named by Townsend other than 32-year-old Edinburgh flanker Watson.

Jamie Ritchie, captain for the World Cup but yet to be confirmed in the role by Townsend for 2024, is in despite missing Edinburgh's defeat to Gloucester with a jaw issue.

Number eight Jack Dempsey had surgery on his skull but is back in training while the versatile Matt Fagerson returned from a facial injury last weekend.

Glasgow flanker Rory Darge has a knee injury but could be available mid-tournament and he is included along with Luke Crosbie, Josh Bayliss and Andy Christie.

In the backs, Rory Hutchinson of Northampton is back in the squad for the first time since appearing in two Tests on the tour to Argentina in 2022.

He is one of five centres selected along with Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall and Cameron Redpath - but Gloucester centre Harris, 32, has been left out.

Ben Healy is likely to be the back-up to Finn Russell at fly-half and the Edinburgh stand-off has been named alongside the fit-again Adam Hastings, who kicked Gloucester to victory against Edinburgh at the weekend in front of Townsend.

Scotland start their 2024 Six Nations in Wales on 3 February before hosting France and England then rounding off their campaign in Italy and Ireland.

Scotland squad

Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Andy Christie (Saracens), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers), Johnny Matthews (Glasgow), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow), Glen Young (Edinburgh).

Backs: Adam Hastings (Gloucester), Ben Healy (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse) Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Harry Paterson (Edinburgh), Ali Price (Edinburgh), Cameron Redpath (Bath), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).

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