Scotland's Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named a 40-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship, with two players from Pro D2 in France making a return to the national team.
Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry will play for Scotland after months of absence due to injury. Both had been playing in lower divisions abroad before being recalled by the national team coach. Cherry, a veteran hooker, played his last match for Scotland two years ago but made an immediate comeback with Bordeaux lock Gray also returning to the fold.
The 35-year-old Cherry will be part of Townsend's experience and depth in the scrum, where he can help out Zander Fagerson, who has been playing for the British and Irish Lions. The coach stated that Cherry is still fit and sharp, having played well for Bordeaux.
There are a total of four players on second-row from Glasgow, with Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge expected to start alongside Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist at lock. Max Williamson will bid to break into the side as the team's first-choice second row.
Adam Hastings and Fergus Burke have been included in the squad as back-up options for fly-half Finn Russell, with Blair Kinghorn, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Dobie, and Ben White providing depth to the backline.
Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry will play for Scotland after months of absence due to injury. Both had been playing in lower divisions abroad before being recalled by the national team coach. Cherry, a veteran hooker, played his last match for Scotland two years ago but made an immediate comeback with Bordeaux lock Gray also returning to the fold.
The 35-year-old Cherry will be part of Townsend's experience and depth in the scrum, where he can help out Zander Fagerson, who has been playing for the British and Irish Lions. The coach stated that Cherry is still fit and sharp, having played well for Bordeaux.
There are a total of four players on second-row from Glasgow, with Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge expected to start alongside Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist at lock. Max Williamson will bid to break into the side as the team's first-choice second row.
Adam Hastings and Fergus Burke have been included in the squad as back-up options for fly-half Finn Russell, with Blair Kinghorn, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Dobie, and Ben White providing depth to the backline.
. The guy was having a rough time with injuries and had to take some time off, but now he's back and ready to roll 
. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the Six Nations – I think his experience playing abroad will definitely help him out. And Cherry's comeback story is pretty inspiring too 
– the guy was out for two years and still managed to get himself fitted in with Bordeaux, talk about dedication 
! The squad looks like it's shaping up to be a solid one, especially with some of those younger players getting a chance to shine 
! Jonny Gray was looking lost for Scotland last time he played, but he's been killing it in Pro D2 
! And can we talk about Dave Cherry? The veteran hooker still got some tricks up his sleeve 
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! Of course, it's not all about youth - experience counts for something too 
. Cherry's been around the block a few times, so he can definitely bring some wisdom to the table. It'll be interesting to see how it all comes together in the Six Nations 
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but also kinda disappointed that jonny gray is only coming back now? like what took him so long to heal up? all the months of him being out there getting game time abroad and then just suddenly he's fit enough to jump back onto the squad? it feels like a waste, you know?
Scotland, you got this! 
#ScotlandRugby #SixNationsChampionship #RugbyLife
. Max Williamson's gonna have some tough competition at lock, but I think he can do it 
and one of them is a hooker named dave cherry? i don't really know much about rugby, can someone explain to me how the scrum thingy works again? 
. These players, Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry, had to navigate the dark depths of injury and defeat before being given another chance to shine 
. And isn't that what life's all about? The ebb and flow of triumphs and tribulations? It's almost as if we're not defined by our successes, but by our ability to bounce back from adversity 
. And that's something worth reflecting on...
and what's up with all the youngsters?! Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Max Williamson... these guys gotta prove themselves but I'm lovin the optimism 
. Is this just a case of Townsend trying to shore up his squad before the big match? The experience factor might be nice but I'm still waiting on some concrete evidence that these guys are ready to go 
️ IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE VETERANS LIKE CHERRY COME OUT OF RETIREMENT AND SHOW US WHAT THEY'RE MADE OF! 
AND WITH MAX WILLIAMSON PUSHING FOR A START, THE SCRAMBLE FOR SPOTS IN THE TEAM IS GOING TO BE INTENSE!!! 
jonny gray and dave cherry are back after months out, which is great to see these guys get another chance. also good to have some experienced players like finn russell and adam hastings on the bench 
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solid with Jonny Gray 
experience & scrum expertise 
needs a rest. Can't wait for the matches to see some 
I'm so stoked that Jonny Gray is back in the Scotland squad 
Adam Hastings and Fergus Burke will definitely provide some options for Finn Russell at fly-half 
... can't wait for these guys to get back on the pitch! Jonny Gray & Dave Cherry are finally coming home after months of absence 
I'm hyped for Max Williamson too, he's got what it takes to break into that second row spot 
still rooting for Scotland! 
️
But I'm also loving the squad depth - it's all about the competition now 
he wasnt even considered but ben white gets picked over him?? seems like ben is still getting some love from Townsend 
. anyway, its nice to see jonny gray back in the mix, been missing him on the pitch. and cherry coming out of retirement is a nice depth addition