Tuesday 20 January 2015 20:31, UK
Scotland coach Vern Cotter has handed four Edinburgh players their first call-ups after naming his squad for next month's Six Nations Championship opener with France.
Scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and forwards Ben Toolis, Hugh Blake and Hamish Watson are included after impressing for Alan Solomons' Gunners.
Hidalgo-Clyne, 21, has played a vital part in Edinburgh's recent resurgence having featured in every fixture so far this season, while 22-year-old back-rower Watson is set to make his full international debut after playing his way through the Scottish youth ranks.
Toolis, 22, has stepped into the breach for Edinburgh, replacing injured lock Gilchrist for club, and now country, while the capital club's new recruit Blake comes into the squad for the first time having arrived in Scotland from Super Rugby side, Highlanders, in December.
They have impressed me with their desire to go forward, and reflect the Scottish spirit of attacking and leading, to develop into impressive performers
Cotter said: "All these players have worked hard and have shown great ambition to seize this opportunity. That's the type of player we want in this environment.
"They have impressed me with their desire to go forward, and reflect the Scottish spirit of attacking and leading, to develop into impressive performers."
Greig Laidlaw, meanwhile, will continue to skipper the Dark Blues in Grant Gilchrist's absence against Les Bleus in Paris on Saturday, February 7.
The quartet will join a further seven of their capital club-mates, including Greig Tonks, selected for Scotland for the first time since his positional switch to stand-off, having made his first and only international appearance at full-back against Samoa on the 2013 summer tour.
The squad is also boosted by the return of 21-times capped centre Matt Scott, who missed last year's summer tour and autumn Test campaign with shoulder and hand injuries.
Despite the strong capital contingent, Glasgow Warriors - currently second in the Guinness Pro12 - continue to contribute the majority of the squad, with 15 players all in.
Among them is centre Mark Bennett, who has shaken off a hamstring injury to return to the fold.
Rob Harley is also included despite suffering knee and ankle knocks against Edinburgh last month.
Tight-head prop Jon Welsh, absent for the November clashes with Argentina, New Zealand and Tonga through a shoulder injury, also earns a recall, while Peter Horne could feature for the first time since the summer tour.
Injuries rule out Gilchrist, Adam Ashe,Chris Fusaro, Tyrone Holmes, Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Taylor and Duncan Weir.
Also among those left out are former skipper Kelly Brown and John Barclay, despite impressive seasons with club sides Saracens and Scarlets.
Experienced campaigners Chris Cusiter, Johnnie Beattie, Scott Lawson and Tim Swinson are also dropped - as are Ryan Wilson and Ryan Grant, both of whom are currently on trial for assault.
Cotter added: "We are approaching this Six Nations looking to perform and develop. It will be a great process for us and I know the players are looking forward to it.
"Obviously we'll be facing some very good sides, four of which are above us in the world rankings, however we have nothing to hide going into this year.
"We start with a very difficult game against France in Paris and we will prepare as best as possible for that game and adapt as the competition evolves."
Scotland squad:
Forwards: Hugh Blake (Edinburgh), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Rob Harley, Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson (both Edinburgh), Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors)
Backs: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh), Alex Dunbar, (Glasgow Warriors) Dougie Fife (Edinburgh), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (both Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw capt (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh)
Edinburgh v Bordeaux-Begles is live on Sky Sports 1 on Friday night from 19.30
