John Hardie: Scotland flanker reviewed to Six Nations squad following three-month boycott

John Hardie has been called into Scotland's Six Nations squad out of the blue since serving a three-month boycott for asserted cocaine utilize.

Flanker Hardie, 29, is one of 10 players included by Gregor Townsend before Saturday's gathering with Ireland.

Richie Gray, Byron McGuigan, Lee Jones, Alex Dunbar, Fraser Brown, Darryl Marfo and Zander Fagerson come back from damage.

Scrum-half George Horne gets a first senior call-up, while Magnus Bradbury is reviewed.

Hardie, who has three tries in 16 Scotland appearances, came back to preparing with Edinburgh in January following his suspension for "net unfortunate behavior" and after that played a counterpart for Hawick.

He included from the begin as Edinburgh won away to Ulster and Dragons in February.

Bolt Gray, focus Dunbar, wing Jones, back-push Bradbury, hooker Brown and props Fagerson and Marfo missed Scotland's competition opening annihilation by Wales and the home triumphs against France and shielding champions England.

McGuigan has not included since the annihilation in Cardiff.

Overhauled Scotland squad

Advances:

Hookers: Fraser Brown, Scott Lawson, Stuart McInally. Props: Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Zander Fagerson, Darryl Marfo, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid. Locks: Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis. Back column: John Barclay, Magnus Bradbury, David Denton, Cornell du Preez, Luke Hamilton, John Hardie, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.

Backs:

Back three: Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Sean Maitland, Byron McGuigan, Tommy Seymour. Focuses: Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Nick Grigg, Chris Harris, Pete Horne, Huw Jones. Half-backs: George Horne, Greig Laidlaw, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell.