Scotland rest two Lions for inaugural Nations Championship fixtures against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has omitted two of his most-capped Lions from the squad selected for the inaugural Rugby Nations Championship this July, handing the celebrated pair — who hold 125 caps between them — a summer break after a demanding season.

Veteran lock Grant Gilchrist is also absent from the 36-man group, which will face Argentina in Buenos Aires on 4 July, South Africa in Johannesburg on 11 July, before returning to Scottish Gas Murrayfield to host Fiji on 18 July.

Despite being committed to Barbarians duty in the lead-up to the competition, Duhan van der Merwe has been included alongside Edinburgh teammates D’arcy Rae and Liam McConnell.

The tour presents a milestone opportunity for three forwards. Glasgow Warriors lock Scott Cummings and loosehead Pierre Schoeman are both on 49 caps, while loosehead Rory Sutherland sits two appearances short of the landmark, meaning all three could reach 50 Scotland appearances across the three-Test series.

Sione Tuipulotu captains the side, with Finn Russell — on 94 caps — among the most experienced backs in the group. Glasgow Warriors dominate the selection, contributing 19 of the 36 players named.

Scotland squad:

Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh, 35), Josh Bayliss (Bath, 16), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh, 22), Gregor Brown (Glasgow, 16), Scott Cummings (Glasgow, 49), Rory Darge (Glasgow, 39), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow, 33), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh, 2), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow, 64), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow, 81), Jonny Gray (Perpignan, 81), Gregor Hiddleston (Glasgow, uncapped), Will Hurd (Leicester, 10), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow, 8), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh, 1), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton, 14), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh, 7), Alex Samuel (Glasgow, 3), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh, 49), Seb Stephen (Glasgow, uncapped), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow, 48), Max Williamson (Glasgow, 13).

Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens, 3), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow, 19), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh, 55), George Horne (Glasgow, 45), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton, 11), Tom Jordan (Bristol, 17), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow, 16), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow, 17), Finn Russell (Bath, 94), Ollie Smith (Glasgow, 12), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow, 33), Sione Tuipulotu — captain (Glasgow, 38), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh, 53), Ben White (Toulon, 36).