Scotland coach Andy Robinson has named rookie lock Richie Gray as one of eight uncapped players in his 44-strong training camp at St Andrews later this month.

The 19-year-old – who stands at 6ft 9ins and over 19 stone – played in all ten of Scotland’s under 20 fixtures last season.

Glasgow’s Gray is joined by fellow new-boys John Houston, Alan MacDonald, Jim Thompson, Kyle Traynor, Ruaridh Jackson, Richie Vernon and Alex Grove.

The squad also includes Mike Blair, Ross Ford, Nathan Hines and Euan Murray – Scotland’s contingent in the Lions tour to South Africa this summer.

Back-row forward Simon Taylor is one notable omission from the squad – which will prepare for the Autumn Tests against Fiji, Australia and Argentina – but coach Robinson insists he is still in his plans.

“I have spoken at length with Simon and he has requested not to be involved with Scotland at this stage,” he said.

“I am agreeing to his request but the door remains open for Simon to be involved with Scotland at a later stage and I will be monitoring his form over the next few months.”

Full 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).