Josh Bayliss named in Scotland squad as Zander Fagerson appeal is confirmed

Scotland are to appeal the four-match ban handed to prop Zander Fagerson following his red card against Wales.

Josh Bayliss has been a regular for Bath this season and qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

In the meantime the tighthead has been omitted from the squad to face France, which includes a first call-up for the Bath back-row forward Josh Bayliss.

Stand-off Adam Hastings is also named in the 36-man party for Paris along with his Glasgow Warriors team-mate Jamie Dobie. It is the first time the promising young scrum-half has been included as a full member, having been previously invited to train with the squad at the start of the Six Nations campaign.

Hastings has not played for Scotland since injuring his shoulder in the win over Wales in Llanelli last October. He made his comeback for Glasgow in the defeat by Ulster on Friday night.

There are recalls for Bath prop Jamie Bhatti, Worcester back-rower Cornell du Preez, Glasgow pair Rob Harley and Sam Johnson.

Flanker Jamie Ritchie is also included after missing the Wales game with a hamstring injury.

But there is no place in the squad for centre Cameron Redpath or back-row pair Gary Graham and Blade Thomson who have all returned to their clubs as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Prop Allan Dell and centre Byron McGuigan are also missing.

Scotland face France on Sunday in the third round of the Six Nations, having beaten England and lost to Wales in their opening two matches.

Scotland are to appeal Zander Fagerson's four-game ban. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Fagerson was sent off in the 25-24 defeat by Wales for charging into a ruck.

At an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, he accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

The disciplinary committee disagreed and suspended Fagerson for four weeks, ruling him out of Scotland's remaining three Six Nations matches against France, Ireland and Italy, and one further match to be determined.

In a short statement posted on its website, the Scottish Rugby Union said: “Prop Zander Fagerson is not listed in the latest squad update. Scottish Rugby will appeal his disciplinary hearing ban of four matches, issued last week.”

The uncapped Bayliss is the most eye-catching inclusion in the latest squad.

The 23-year-old is a former England Under-20 international but qualifies for Scotland through his Aberdeen-born grandmother.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “We welcome Josh into our squad as we look to build on our opening two games. We have been following his performances with Bath and a combination of his form and a couple of injuries in our squad, have given us the opportunity to involve him for the first time.

“We are also delighted to add Jamie Dobie to our group following his impressive outing for Glasgow on Friday night and the quality he showed while training with us prior to our game against England.”

Scotland squad: Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, David Cherry, Alex Craig, Scott Cummings, Cornell du Preez, Matt Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Rob Harley, Oli Kebble, Willem Nel, Darcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Grant Stewart, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson.

Backs: Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg (c), Sam Johnson, Huw Jones, James Lang, Sean Maitland, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Scott Steele, Duncan Taylor, Jaco van der Walt, Duhan van der Merwe.

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