Scotland have brought in new and familiar faces as the squad is updated for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Uncapped Bath back-row Josh Bayliss has joined the Scotland squad as they prepare to play France in the third round of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
The 23-year-old, who played for England U20 in 2017, follows Bath teammate Cameron Redpath north of the border.
Bayliss qualifies for Scotland through his Aberdeen-born grandmother and has featured for Bath in every game of the 2020/21 season so far.
The 23-year-old is joined by Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Jamie Dobie, who joins the squad for the first time as a full member, having been previously invited to train at the start of the campaign.
Head Coach, Gregor Townsend said: “We welcome Josh [Bayliss] into our squad as we look to build on our opening two games of the Championship. We have been following his performances with Bath and a combination of his form and a couple of injuries in our squad, have given us the opportunity to involve him for the first time.
“We are also delighted to add Jamie Dobie to our group following his impressive outing for Glasgow on Friday night and the quality he showed while training with us prior to our game against England.”
EDITORS PICKS:
- All Black legend Dan Carter ranks his five toughest opponents
- The current 36-man Lions squad, according to the bookies
- Piers Morgan picks his all-time greatest rugby XV
- Every Premiership club’s best player out of contract in 2021
LIST: 5 players who want to swap nations for 2023 World Cup
1. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Australia to FIji)
In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Nik Simon, the Northampton Saints winger international winger said he would ‘100 perc cent’ play for Fiji.
I’m 28 and I’ve still got the best years ahead of me, so the opportunity to play for Fiji would be a dream come true,’ he told Sportsmail.
‘I have no regrets about playing for Australia. I was pretty young at the time when the opportunity came along and I went for it.
‘But Fiji has always been in my heart. It’s where I was born. When I left Fiji for Australia, my dream was to play for Fiji. I would 100 per cent commit to Fiji if that opportunity came along.’
2. Manu Tuilagi (England to Samoa)
- Current number of caps: 41
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know: He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team
The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed.
He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. He's mentioned before that he'd love to join them if possible.
His international career is likely to end later this year when he's tipped to join Racing from Sale Sharks. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.
3. Charles Piutau (New Zealand to Tonga)
- Current number of caps: 20
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know? He is the younger brother of 42-cap Tonga centre Siale Piutau.
Piutau, who started his career with Tonga U20 side last played for All Blacks in July 2015 after he was omitted from the World Cup squad that year and his move to Europe effectively ended his chance of Test recall under Steve Hansen.
“I’d love nothing more than to be able to represent Tonga at the next World Cup,” Piutau, who has the backing of Pacific Rugby Players’ Welfare (PPRW) told Press Association Sport.
“I’ve expressed my desire to do that previously, but so far there has been no word about whether that would be possible.
“I’m holding out hope that it can still happen, but obviously the longer that goes on without any suggestion of the rulings changing, then the less likely that becomes.”
4. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)
- Current number of caps: 20
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know? His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby
The number eight was unlucky not to be included in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The number eight, who has impressed for Bristol Bears this season, would be a stellar addition to the Fiji pack.
5. Mako Vunipola (England to Tonga)
- Current number of caps: 70
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know:? In 2018, Vunipola and his partner welcomed a son, Jacob.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the loosehead-prop would be eligible to play for Tonga as he is the son of former Tonga captain Fe’ao Vunipola.
