Munster’s Ben Healy named in Scotland’s Six Nations Squad

Healy and Scotland will take on Ireland in Murrayfield in round four of the Six Nations.

Outgoing Munster out-half Ben Healy has been included in Gregor Townsend’s Scotland Six Nations squad. Healy is named among the backs in the 40-man squad, for the competition that kicks off next month.

The Irish U20 international qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother. He is one of four uncapped players in the squad.

He will battle Finn Russell for the number 10 jersey with the Racing man starting for the Lions againsy South Africa in 2020.

Last month it was confirmed that the 23-year-old would join Edinburgh at the seasons’ end.

Speaking on Healy’s inclusion, Townsend said,

“Well, just over the last two or three weeks, Ben played really well off the bench against Ulster and then the following week started against the Lions and I was impressed with him that night.

“He’s a different player to the 10s we have had in the squad but he is a very good attacker, both in terms of the system and his own individual strengths, and he has a very good kicking game.

“To have someone we can call on of Ben’s ability when we have lost Adam Hastings and Ross Thompson to injuries is a real positive.”

Healy could face Ireland in the fourth round of games in Murrayfield on March 12. Scotland get their campaign underway against England on February 4 in Twickenham.

Ireland are expected to name their squad on Thursday morning.

Scotland’s 40-man 2023 Six Nations squad

Forwards (23): Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 6 caps, Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps, Simon Berghan (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps, Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps, Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 57 caps, Dave Cherry (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps, Andy Christie (Saracens) 4 caps, Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps, Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps, Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps, Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 54 caps, Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 59 caps, Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 72 caps, Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 69 caps, Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped, WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 50 caps, Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – CAPTAIN – 36 caps, Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps, Javan Sebastian (Scarlets) 3 caps, Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 22 caps, George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps, Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 54 caps

Backs (17): Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) 39 caps, Ben Healy (Munster Rugby) uncapped, Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 96 caps, George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps, Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps, Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 38 caps, Sean Maitland (Saracens) 53 caps, Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) uncapped, Stafford McDowell (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped, Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 58 caps, Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 4 caps, Finn Russell (Racing 92) 65 caps, Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps, Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps, Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps, Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, Ben White (London Irish) 9 caps