The Fort Worth Press - Scotland recall Gray, Cherry for Six Nations

Lock Gray, who plays for Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14, has not featured for Scotland since last year's tournament while hooker Cherry, who plays for Vannes in the French second tier, also missed the Autumn Nations Series.

Glasgow centre Sione Tuipulotu will again captain the squad, with fly-half Finn Russell embarking on a 12th Six Nations campaign.

The return of Cherry and Gray brings valuable experience to Scotland, who start their tournament at Italy on February 7.

"Dave started every game for us in last year's Six Nations," Townsend said.

"He's gone well this year for Vannes and we feel his experience and how he's playing is important going into this tournament."

Gray has also impressed in France, helping his club to the Champions Cup title last May.

"Jonny's playing at one of the best clubs in Europe right now in Bordeaux," Townsend said. "When he gets opportunities, you see his work rate, his experience and what he can do, particularly defensively."

Townsend said Scotland must learn lessons from the Autumn Nations Series, during which they suffered a narrow defeat against New Zealand and a second-half collapse against Argentina.

Scotland squad

Forwards (23)

Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Freddy Douglas, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Nathan McBeth, Liam McConnell, Elliot Millar Mills, D'arcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Max Williamson

Backs (17)

Fergus Burke, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Finn Russell, Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White

C.M.Harper--TFWP