New Scotland coach Andy Robinson has named six Lions in a pre-season training squad.
The man who coached the Lions forwards on the 2001 tour of Australia has picked all four Scots who featured on the recent trip to South Africa, as well as two players who were part of the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
Scrum-half Mike Blair is joined by fellow 2009 tourists Ross Ford, Nathan Hines and Euan Murray and 2005 Lions Chris Cusiter and Jason White in a 44-man squad for a three-day training camp beginning on August 17.
Northampton prop Murray has been included in the squad even though he will be unable to take part in training as he continues his recovery from the ankle injury that brought his first Lions adventure to a premature end.
Robinson, who took over as head coach from Frank Hadden earlier this year, has set up the camp at St Andrew’s to help his side prepare for their fixtures against Fiji, Australia and Argentina at Murrayfield in November.
"It’s good to have a three-day get-together before the season starts where we will discuss our objectives and how we are going to work together," said Robinson, who previously coached England.
"Our themes will be developing leadership, game understanding and improving individual skills and fitness."
A total of eight uncapped players will join the six Lions at St Andrew’s, with Scotland Under 20 lock Richie Gray among them. The 19-year-old 6ft 9ins, 19st 9lbs Glasgow player has been selected alongside seven members of the victorious Scotland A squad who captured the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest in June. Centre/wing John Houston, openside flanker Alan MacDonald, full-back Jim Thompson and loose-head prop Kyle Traynor of Edinburgh are all included in the senior set up, as are Glasgow fly-half Ruaridh Jackson and No8 Richie Vernon and Worcester centre Alex Grove.
Former Lion Simon Taylor has asked not be included, however, with Robinson accepting the 29-year-old’s Stade Francais back row’s request.
Scotland training squad
Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Thom Evans, Max Evans (both Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), John Houston (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton, Jim Hamilton (both Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald, Scott MacLeod (both Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Jason White (Clermont Auvergne)
