Six Nations: Scotland call up uncapped Alexander Masibaka from French second-tier side ahead of tournament opener | Rugby Union News happymamay

Australian-born Alexander Masipaka is one of five players called up to the Scotland squad ahead of the opening match of the Guinness Six Nations this weekend.

France-based back-row striker Masibaka replaced Josh Bayliss, who suffered a thigh injury while playing for Bath against Sale. Bayless will remain with his club to further assess the damage.

Iwan Ferry, Cameron Henderson, Iwan Johnson and Ollie Smith also join the squad ahead of Italy’s visit to Murrayfield on Saturday (2.15pm).

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 24: Scotland's Josh Bayliss before the famous Grosse Nation Series match between Scotland and Australia at Scotland's Murrayfield Gas Stadium on November 24, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Collection)
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Josh Bayliss has been ruled out with a groin injury

Masibaka has been called up after impressing in Ligue 2 with Soueux Angoulême, where he is on loan from Montpellier.

The 23-year-old former Western Force player qualifies for Scotland through his Paisley-born mother.

The versatile Smith returns to the team less than 24 hours after making his first appearance in Glasgow for 407 days, in Sunday’s narrow win over Connacht. Smith’s return to the Scotland A team was against Chile in late November.

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Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is optimistic ahead of the Six Nations and says it will be “very competitive”.

Ferry has not played for the team but the 23-year-old Glasgow striker has previously trained with Gregor Townsend’s side.

Henderson made his debut for Scotland in 2023 against Italy before suffering a knee injury later that year. The 25-year-old lock has been called upon with some consistent performances for Leicester.

Johnson, a second-row striker from Oyunacs, won his first four caps last year and also featured against Chile in November.

Scotland squad update

Attackers: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Jimmy Bhatti (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Luke Crosby (Edinburgh), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Xander Fagerson . (Glasgow), Ewan Ferry (Glasgow)Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Johnny Gray (Bordeaux), Cameron Henderson (Leicester City)Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Will Herd (Leicester City), Ewan Johnson (Oyonax)Jack Mann (Glasgow), Alexandre Masipaka (Soyo Angoulême)Darcy Rae (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schumann (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh).

Their backs: Fergus Burke (Muslims), Matt Currie (Edinburgh), Jimmy Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Hugh Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn . (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Aaron Reid. (Sale), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ollie Smith (Glasgow)Ben White (Toulon).

2025 Six Nations Championship matches: Scotland

  • February 1: Italy (H)
  • February 9: Ireland (h)
  • February 22: England (A)
  • March 8: Wales (h)
  • March 15: France (A)

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