Rugby
ESPN staff 6y

WP Nel, Tim Visser among six players recalled to Scotland squad

Rugby, Six Nations

WP Nel and Tim Visser are among six players recalled to the Scotland squad by coach Gregor Townsend, ahead of the Six Nations clash with England.

Prop Nel has missed the first two matches of this year's championship as he recovered from a broken arm and his return is a big boost for Townsend. 

He is one of four forwards back in the mix, alongside uncapped Glasgow Warriors hooker James Malcolm, Sale Sharks back row Josh Strauss and Glasgow Warriors lock Tim Swinson.

Harlequins wing Visser, who has scored eight tries in 17 appearances this season, last played for Scotland during the summer and is joined in returning to the squad by Gloucester centre Matt Scott. 

Uncapped Edinburgh Rugby duo Charlie Shiel and Darcy Graham have also been invited to train with the squad on Monday and Tuesday.

Saracens centre Duncan Taylor and Toulouse lock Richie Gray -- who are recovering from head and calf injuries respectively -- drop out of contention, as do Magnus Bradbury, Nathan Fowles, Murray McCallum and D'arcy Rae.

Meanwhile, last year's heavy defeat at Twickenham is still in the minds of the Scotland players as they prepare to host England next week.

A Scotland team chasing the Triple Crown travelled down to London 12 months ago with the hope of causing an upset in the Six Nations, but were given a lesson in Test rugby.

They were sent packing with a 61-21 thrashing as England retained their title in style, but hooker Stuart McInally admits the manner of the defeat for Scotland has stayed in the minds of the players, who will be looking to continue the form showed against France last time out.

"It's definitely still in the back of the minds," McInally admitted. "You can't just ignore the game and pretend it didn't happen.

"We will have to look at the game and areas we need to sharpen up.

"That is obviously still in the back of a few minds and we will want to right a few wrongs from that game, especially being back at Murrayfield."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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