Jackson handed Scotland call-up

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has handed a maiden call-up to Glasgow starlet Ruaridh Jackson for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales.

Jackson, 20, is one of two uncapped players in a 33-man squad for the February 8 clash at Murrayfield.

Edinburgh prop Geoff Cross, who was named in a provisional squad for the autumn internationals, is the other rookie.

A versatile back, Jackson has been picked as a fly-half where he has made only one senior start for Glasgow.

However, that was in this season’s Heineken Cup pool clash at Bath, where he earned rave reviews.

Flanker Jason White makes the selection, with Hadden expecting him to recover from hand surgery in time.

Hadden said: “I’m delighted by the number of players who are putting up their hands as genuine candidates for international selection.

“Momentum is vital in such a short round of matches, so we know the importance of starting well and getting a big Scottish crowd behind us.”

Scotland’s squad will meet up on Monday, where they will undergo a three-day training camp.

Scotland squad:

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow), Sean Lamont (Northampton), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Dan Parks (Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), Simon Webster (Edinburgh).

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Scott Gray (Northampton), Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Craig Hamilton (Edinburgh), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Euan Murray (Northampton), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), Jason White (Sale).