8 Scottish rising stars set to shine at future Six Nations

After Vern Cotter announced Scotland's 35-man pool for the Six Nations earlier this week, we look at the brightest prospects that are sure to star in future squads.

Damien Hoyland made his Edinburgh debut earlier this year. Picture: SNS

BLAIR KINGHORN

Edinburgh, Full-Back, 19

Straight out of school, Kinghorn has broken into the Edinburgh first team this season and impressed with his confident attacking instincts ball in hand and a mighty boot.

When younger he focused on football and was part of the Hearts academy before switching his attention to rugby with Currie and earning Scotland age-grade recognition.

ZANDER FAGERSON

Glasgow, Prop, 20

The former High School of Dundee pupil was given the perfect 20th birthday present on Tuesday when he was named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad. This season has seen the youngster flourish in the notoriously hard school of professional front row rugby.

Outside of rugby, Fagerson won the 2010 Scottish Downhill Mountain Bike Championship, was in the National Boys Choir in 2008 and is a qualified lifeguard

DAMIEN HOYLAND

Edinburgh, Wing, 22

A prolific tryscorer at Scotland Under-20 level, the former James Gillespie High School pupil he made his full Edinburgh debut against Ospreys in February 2015.

After a season spent with the national sevens squad, Hoyland was a surprise inclusion in Vern Cotter’s extended World Cup squad last summer and earned his first cap off the bench against Italy in Turin.

This season has seen him take his Edinburgh appearances to 13, with five tries.

HUGH BLAKE

Glasgow, Flanker, 23

The former New Zealand Under-20 qualifies for Scotland through his paternal Glaswegian grandparents and, after initially moving to Edinburgh in December 2014 he was a surprise inclusion in Vern Cotter’s Six Nations squad and, after switching to Glasgow, was also included in the initial World Cup pool, making his debut against Ireland in last summer’s warm-up Test.

Now cutting his teeth in the sevens squad, he hasn’t been seen much in pro-team action but is a highly rated prospect.

CHRIS DEAN

Edinburgh, Centre, 21

Another of the batch of local youngsters who have been breaking through at Edinburgh this season, the former Edinburgh Academy pupil has also graduated through the sevens and EDP programmes.

He was handed his chance by coach Alan Solomons as the start of the Pro12 combined with the World Cup and has gone onto make nine appearances.

ALI PRICE

Glasgow, Scrum-half, 22

Born in Kings Lynn but Scotland-qualified through his mother he has been capped at Under-20 level. In recent weeks he has grasped his opportunity at Glasgow with Henry Pyrgos and Mike Blair both injured and has earned rave reviews.

Considered unlucky to have just missed out on the Six Nations squad.

MAGNUS BRADBURY

Edinburgh, Back-row, 20

After moving from Oban High School to Merchiston on a scholarship, Bradbury captained Scotland in their win over Argentina at last season’s World Cup.

Playing for Boroughmuir last season he scored two tries in their Scottish Cup final win last season and has been with the Scotland sevens squad this term.

He scored a try in his second start for Edinburgh in last weekend’s European win over Agen.

JAMIE RITCHIE

Edinburgh, Back-row, 19

The former Strathallan School pupil and Howe of Fife player is considered one of Scotland’s most promising young forwards and has now played seven times for Edinburgh. The former Scotland Under-20 captain was also a schoolboy judo champion.

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