Scotland Autumn Nations Cup squad | Finn Russell returns

The squad features three uncapped players in Glasgow Warriors prop Oli Kebble, Edinburgh winger Duhan van der Merwe and Harlequins scrum-half, Scott Steele.

In the 23 forwards there are five players who did not feature in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations earlier in the year, with Glasgow Warriors trio Richie Gray (lock), Rob Harley (back-row/lock) and Kebble selected alongside London Irish flanker Blair Cowan, who won his last Scotland cap in 2016 and earns his first call up under Townsend.

Scarlets’ Blade Thompson (back-row) also re-joins the squad having last featured at Rugby World Cup 2019.

Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell also rejoins the squad, with an opportunity to earn his 50th Scotland cap during the campaign.

In the 17 backs selected there are returns for Harlequins centre James Lang, who last featured in the national side during the summer of 2018, as well as Glasgow Warriors centre Nick Grigg and Edinburgh winger Damien Hoyland, alongside squad debutants van der Merwe and scrum-half Steele.

Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell also joins the squad, with an opportunity to earn his 50th Scotland cap during the campaign.

Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 17 caps
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 capsCornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors) – 7 caps
Matt Fagerson – (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps
Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 57 caps
Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 65 caps
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 21 caps
Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 3 caps
Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) - uncapped
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 37 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 38 caps
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 7 caps
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 5 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 32 caps

Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 11 caps
Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 18 caps
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) CAPTAIN – 76 caps
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 21 caps
James Lang (Harlequins) – 2 caps
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 49 caps
Scott Steele (Harlequins) - uncapped
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – uncapped
Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 28 caps

He spent his three-year professional career between 2002 and 2005 at Newcastle Falcons, alongside his brother, Jonny, predominantly playing as a Centre.

A product of the Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s youth section, Tom initially developed his rugby through the club and at Mounts Bay School, as did his younger brother Luke. The 28-year-old, who also plays hooker, first joined the Cornish Pirates in 2010, and signed a new two-year deal in May 2020.

The scrum-half was plighted by injuries towards the end of his time with London Irish and subsequently was not offered a new contract at the club; joining Loughborough Students as a result. Very much in the shadow of brothers Anthony and Marcus at the moment.

Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg’s brother, Graham, has played for Scotland in the IRB Sevens World Series as well as representing his country at under-18, under-19 and under-20. A very talented player, his career did not take off in the same way as his younger brother due to a number of serious knee injuries.

He is the younger brother of Ireland fly-half Johnny. Sexton represented Leinster Rugby at schoolboy level but did not make the professional academy. The lock then moved to France to play lower level rugby before joining Exeter Chiefs. Following further stints with London irish and Jersey Reds, Sexton joined South African Pro14 side Southern Kings on a three-year contract ahead of the 2019–20 season.

He is perhaps best known for being Martin's younger brother, but yet played over 200 times for Leicester and gained a number of caps for England 'A'. A good club man, known for technique and work rate.