John Hardie back in the fold for Scotland's Six Nations bid

A relaxed Gregor Townsend at the announcement of his 39-strong squad for this seasons Six Nations at BT Murrafyield. Picture: Gary Hutchison/SNS/SRU

Hardie was suspended for three months in November 2017 after what was widely reported to be alleged cocaine use and released by Edinburgh at the end of last season. The New Zealand-born forward, who has 16 caps, has since resurrected his career at Newcastle Falcons and Townsend was clear that the door had never been closed on his Scotland chances.

“No, not at all, he hasn’t been involved in squads with us because of injury,” said the coach, who yesterday named his initial 39-man squad for the tournament, which starts on 2 February with the visit of Italy to BT Murrayfield.

“He [Hardie] came back to Newcastle after training with [French club] Clermont around the time of the November Tests. It was pleasing he came back and started playing, and he’s played really well over the last few weeks.”

Hardie, 30, has since won an extended contract at  Falcons and returns with hopes of winning his first Scotland cap since the June 2017 defeat by Fiji in Suva.

He boosts back-row options with the news that captain John Barclay is highly unlikely to play any part in this year’s tournament.

Barclay ruptured his Achilles last May and hasn’t appeared for his new club, Edinburgh, with his recovery time being pushed steadily back in recent weeks.

“I don’t think so,” said Townsend when asked if his skipper was likely to feature in the Six Nations.

“He may come back [for Edinburgh] towards the end of the Six Nations. That’s going to be too late for him to play for us.”

Townsend’s other main  injury pressure point comes at hooker, with three uncapped players called in to back up Edinburgh captain Stuart McInally in the absence, for the first two games at least, of Glasgow Warriors duo  Fraser Brown and George Turner.

Grant Stewart (Glasgow), David Cherry (Edinburgh) and Jake Kerr (Leicester) have been named in the squad.

Townsend was philosophical about a lengthy injury list he said was part of life in top-level rugby but hopeful some big names could re-appear as the tournament goes on, including the 66-times capped  Toulouse lock, Richie Gray.

“Richie’s trained fully last two weeks, so he’s targeting coming back the week before the Italy game, that’s a week on Saturday, if all goes well in training the next two weeks,” said Townsend.

“He’s not played since  pre-season so it’ll take him two or three games to get back to full match fitness for his club never mind international  rugby,” added Townsend.

“But it’s pleasing and encouraging to know he might be back in the next few weeks.”