Low recalled to the Scotland squad

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs prop Moray Low has been recalled to the Scotland squad ahead of the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

Low, who is into his second season with the Devon club following a move from Glasgow Warriors, has been recalled by head coach Vern Cotter for the start of the tournament, which begins at home to England on February 6.

The 31-year-old missed out on featuring for his country in last year’s Rugby World Cup, but his fine form for the Chiefs this term has been rewarded and now he will be looking to add to his tally of 29 international caps.

But whilst Low - who has made 14 appearances for the Chiefs this season, scoring three tries in the process - is included alongside uncapped props Zander Fagerson and Rory Sutherland, Glasgow flanker Ryan Wilson has been left out by Cotter. The 26-year-old was cited on Monday for allegedly grabbing the testicles of an opponent in Sunday’s European Champions Cup defeat by Northampton Saints.

Tim Swinson, who has been cited following a yellow card for punching in the same match, is included in the squad.
Cotter, whose side lost all of last year's Six Nations matches, hopes his players can do "the simple things better" and continue the momentum and progress made at the World Cup, when the Scots reached the quarter-finals.

"We've selected a mixture of experience with some exciting young players coming through, some of whom have experienced the Rugby World Cup and are eager to move forward, take the Six Nations head on and show that we can develop our game and be competitive," said Cotter.

"I think there should be confidence. The guys have worked hard and improved. There are positive signs that we can compete, and this championship will give us another opportunity to measure ourselves against very good opposition in a tough competition."

Scotland squad for Six Nations

Forwards: Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Scarlets), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton (Bath), Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), John Hardie (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs), Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh).

Backs: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (London Irish), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens) Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Harlequins).