Scotland in Six Nations boost as Richie Gray returns to squad after injury

Richie Gray has made his return to the Scotland squad following a lengthy injury spell and will now be available for the remainder of the Six Nations.

The second-row forward, who has struggled in recent months with a calf issue, has been named in Gregor Townsend’s revised squad ahead of Scotland’s final two fixtures against Ireland and Italy, with 10 players added in total.

Alex Dunbar, Zander Fagerson, Darryl Marfo and Fraser Brown – who all featured in last year’s autumn internationals – are also recalled after injuries, while George Horne has been handed a first senior call-up.

It caps an impressive season for Horne, whose older brother Pete is already in the squad, having scored 10 tries in his first 14 appearances for Glasgow this season to force his way into Townsend’s thinking.

Flanker John Hardie also returns to a 40-man squad following a three-month suspension earlier in the season by his club, Edinburgh, for alleged cocaine use.

Hardie returned to action against Leinster in February and has started the last two games to earn selection.

Byron McGuigan and Lee Jones return from hamstring and head injuries respectively to rejoin the group, while Magnus Bradbury has been recalled.

Scotland travel to Dublin this weekend looking to back up an impressive 25-13 win over England last time out before finishing their tournament in Rome a week later.