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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend Choose experience and reliability by recalling forwards Jonny Gray Guinness Book of Records with Dave Cherry six kingdoms.
In a 40-man squad with few surprises, the French pair are one of the most eye-catching players, as they have not represented the national team since last year’s championship.
Cherry, 35, was Scotland’s first-choice player for the 2025 Six Nations but appears to have fallen out of contention after joining Ligue 2 side Vannes in the summer and being eliminated in the autumn series.
Bordeaux lock Gray started four of Scotland’s five Championship games last year but was not selected for the summer or autumn games.
“Dave’s experience,” Townsend said when explaining the forward’s return. “Dave is in really good form this year. He was really good in the Six Nations last year.
“He is a glue player for us in set-pieces, attack and defence. He missed the summer tour through injury and we decided to look at different options in November.
“On form, Dave probably deserves to be in the November squad. We feel his experience will be very important throughout the Six Nations.
“Jonny didn’t have that many opportunities[at Bordeaux]but he’s actually in really good form. He’s playing at one of the best clubs in Europe.
“He looks fit, he’s sharp and his work-rate has been fantastic. Again, he was brilliant in last year’s Six Nations. He’s done a great job for us and we can rely on him if we need to during this tournament.”
Glaswegian first-choice hooker Gregor Hiddleston has raised eyebrows when he was not selected for the national team.
“Gregor hasn’t really been involved in our games so far so he will get his chance in the A-game against Italy,” he said, referring to Scotland’s second game in Rieti on the eve of their Six Nations opener in Rome.
“This will be his first game at this level and we’re looking forward to seeing him play in that game. We have a lot of competition there, but now he’s going to get that opportunity with the A-Team.”
Scotland’s wicket record holder Duhan van der Merwe has endured a frustrating season, including being left out of the starting XV for the two major autumn Tests against New Zealand and Argentina.
Townsend hopes the 30-year-old, who has been sidelined through injury, will be ready for the start of the tournament.
“Probably more concerning is he had some injuries,” Townsend said. “He hasn’t really played a game. I thought his last game against Gloucester was really good.
“He was battling injuries in that game as well. He’s finding his form and he just needs to play a few more games.
“I’m confident he’ll be fit again this week and that’s a boost. He can obviously play well over the next few weeks before the Six Nations starts.”
Townsend and his experienced side have been thrust into the spotlight following back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the Six Nations and a poor autumn campaign.
Asked if he felt extra pressure, he said: “I really don’t think so.”
“I think I’m honored to be playing in another Six Nations. I can’t wait to work with the players again. When I see the squad I see the players are in really good shape and it makes me excited for what’s to come.
“We’ve got some players who have done well and performed well in Europe and we’ve got some players coming back from injuries that we missed in November.”