Sport

Munster's Ben Healy has been included in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations

SOON TO BE DEPARTED Munster player Ben Healy has been called up to Gregor Townsend's Scotland squad for the first time, weeks after he confirmed he was moving to Edinburgh in the summer.

The 23-year-old Munster starlet qualifies for the Scotland team through his mother's family and made the move due to the amount of competition at 10 in Ireland.

Ireland have Johnny Sexton, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Jack Crowley and a list of other options at half-back, so it's not surprising he's made the switch to Scotland

Healy will now fight for a place in the squad with Scotland's key man Finn Russell or Blair Kinghorn for the 10 jersey.

Adam Hastings is out injured

Congratulations to Munster out-half Ben Healy on being named in the Scotland squad for the 2023 6 Nations 👏#SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/UWGRRZynoQ

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 17, 2023

Speaking about his selection, Townsend said,"“He brings recent form and experience playing at a high level and we feel he’s got Test match ability."

“His kicking game is strong, he’s confident and he leads the attack well when he gets the opportunity to do that at Munster.

“It’s really the last two weeks prior to the weekend’s game (that helped him get in). It’s timely that his form has come at a time when he is committing to us.

“With Adam Hastings being injured, he now gets a chance to train with us and for us to see him.”

Healy will remain with his current province Munster for their URC game against Benetton next week, and then will head off to join the Scotland camp.

Scotland's opening game in the Six Nations is against England on the 4th of February at 4.45pm

Scotland squad

Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Sale), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown (all Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Andy Christie (Saracens), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson (all Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Exeter), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Cameron Henderson (Leicester), WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman (all Edinburgh), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Ulster), George Turner (Glasgow), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)

Backs: Chris Harris (Gloucester), Ben Healy (Munster), Stuart Hogg (Exeter), George Horne, Huw Jones (both Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath) Stafford McDowell, Ali Price (both Glasgow), Cameron Redpath (Bath), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu (all Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (London Irish)