Six Nations 2022: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend adds six players to squad

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has added six players to his Six Nations squad to take on France after a host of withdrawals.

Jonny Gray, Scott Cummings, Cameron Redpath and Rory Sutherland are injured while Javan Sebastian also drops out.

Uncapped Glasgow Warriors duo Ollie Smith and Kiran McDonald are drafted in, along with Simon Berghan, Oli Kebble, Marshall Sykes and James Lang.

Josh Bayliss is available after missing the first two games of the tournament.

British and Irish Lions prop Sutherland picked up a rib injury in the defeat in Wales while experienced second row Gray has an ankle injury and his fellow lock Scott Cummings has a knee problem.

Talented centre Redpath, who has only just returned to fitness and came on as a replacement in Cardiff, is missing again through injury

«This is a great opportunity for the new players to impress,» Townsend said.

«There are often changes made to the squad throughout the championship and it is a challenge we are much better equipped to deal with given our current squad depth.»

Townsend added the injured players' progress will be monitored before «the final two games», but forward Gray is set to miss the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury.

The Exeter Chiefs lock was missing from his side's Premiership victory against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

Following the 15-14 win, the club's director of rugby Rob Baxter confirmed Gray's rehabilitation period is «likely to be the length of the Six Nations».

«There's some thought that the last Six Nations game might be within reach, but I think that's tough,» Baxter said.

«He's had an injury-hit period over the last nine months or so and it [ankle] will get better in seven or eight weeks.»

Scotland are fourth in the Six Nations