The China Mail - Scotland recall veteran Gray for Six Nations campaign

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 represents 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 Gray, who has 81 caps, brings valuable experience to Scotland, who start their tournament in Italy on February 7, with games against England and Wales following in quick succession.

The 31-year-old has also impressed in France, helping his club to win the European 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 Cherry, 35, even though he is not playing in the Top 14 it is counter-balanced by being a seasoned performer.

"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."

Bristol utility back Tom Jordan has been included despite suffering an injury scare in his club's Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux at the weekend.

Notable omissions include Andy Onyeama-Christie, Cam Redpath, Alex Samuel and the uncapped Gregor Hiddleston.

Townsend said Scotland must learn lessons from their November fixtures, during which they suffered a narrow defeat against New Zealand and a second-half collapse against Argentina.

With only one fallow week and three matches to start the tournament, Townsend expects squad depth and recovery to be vital as he seeks to improve on a fourth-place finish last year.

"It's a more condensed tournament," he said. "Teams will definitely look at using their squad more to play three Test matches on the bounce.

"It's important we're cohesive, that we recover well between games and that we take what we learn into our performances."

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

D.Wang--ThChM