There is a strong Borders contingent in Gregor Townsend’s 39-man squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations ties.

Stuart Hogg continues as captain and is joined in the squad by fellow Hawick pair Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham.

Boston born Rufus McLean who started his rugby journey with Melrose Minis is also in the squad along with ex-Melrose and Southern Knights flanker Rory Darge.

Bath centre Cameron Redpath, son of ex-Scotland and Melrose scrum-half Bryan Redpath, returns after missing out in recent games due to injury.

The squad will meet up at Oriam on Monday 24 January for a training camp before reconvening the following week ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash.

Scotland Head Coach Townsend said: “When you look through the squad this is the most competitive I’ve seen it in so many areas and that’s testament to the strength and depth we have.

“We are able to call-up several new players into the squad such as Andy Christie, Kyle Rowe and Ben White. We have been aware of all of the uncapped players for a while now and recently they have all experienced a breakthrough in terms of their performances at club level.

“A key part of the squad selection was rewarding form and that definitely applies to Ben Vellacott and Rory Darge who have been excellent for their clubs this season.

“We’re delighted to be able to include Cameron Redpath in the squad after missing the last few months with injury. He managed to get a game under his belt prior to the squad selection so we’ll see how he performs for Bath and in our training over the next couple of weeks.

“The Guinness Six Nations is the best competition we have in rugby so to be involved in it is a real privilege, especially starting with our oldest rivals in front of a sold-out home crowd.”

Forwards - Ewan Ashman - Sale Sharks, Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby, Jamie Bhatti - Glasgow Warriors, Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby, Andy Christie – Saracens, Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors, Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors, Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors, Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors, Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby, Jonny Gray - Exeter Chiefs, Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby, Jamie Hodgson - Edinburgh Rugby, Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby, WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby, Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby, Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby, Javan Sebastian – Scarlets, Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs, Rory Sutherland, George Turner - Glasgow Warriors, Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby.

Backs - Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby, Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby, Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby, Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – Captain, Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints, Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors, Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby, Rufus McLean - Glasgow Warriors, Ali Price - Glasgow Warriors, Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby, Kyle Rowe – London Irish, Finn Russell – Racing 92, Kyle Steyn - Glasgow Warriors, Sione Tuipulotu- Glasgow Warriors, Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors, Ben Vellacott – Edinburgh Rugby, Ben White – London Irish.