Finn Russell left out of Scotland squad to face England

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has left Finn Russell out of the squad for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with England.

Russell walked out on the squad before the Six Nations opener against Ireland after breaking team rules on alcohol during a late-night drinking session.

He was told he would play no part in the match in Dublin, which Scotland lost 19-12.

Russell’s participation after that was in doubt and Townsend’s squad announcement confirms an ongoing issue between the Racing 92 star and his national team.

The number 10 selections in Townsend’s squad are Duncan Weir, and Adam Hastings, who played in Russell’s place on Saturday.

When asked last week if the ball was in Russell’s court to get back into the national team’s plans, Townsend said: “Finn, in that two-and-a-half-hour meeting I had with him on Monday night, was aware of the consequences of his actions and aware he wouldn’t be involved against Ireland.

“We had a really good conversation after that information was passed to him.

“Anybody that wants to come in and put their hand up for selection – form is part of it, and ability – but it is also being able to live up to the team standards. Anybody out the team must agree to that and accept that.”

Scotland squad to face England:

Backs – C Harris (Gloucester), A Hastings (Glasgow), S Hogg (Exeter, capt), G Horne (Glasgow), R Hutchinson (Northampton), S Johnson (Glasgow), H Jones (Glasgow), B Kinghorn (Edinburgh), S Maitland (Saracens), B McGuigan (Sale Sharks), A Price (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Edinburgh), M Scott (Edinburgh), K Steyn (Glasgow), R Tagive (Glasgow), D Weir (Worcester).

Forwards – S Berghan (Edinburgh), J Bhatti (Edinburgh), M Bradbury (Edinburgh), F Brown (Glasgow), A Craig (Gloucester), L Crosbie (Edinburgh), S Cummings (Glasgow), A Dell (London Irish), C Du Preez (Worcester), Z Fagerson (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), T Gordon (Glasgow), J Gray (Glasgow), N Haining (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), W Nel (Edinburgh), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), R Sutherland (Edinburgh), B Toolis (Edinburgh), G Turner (Glasgow), H Watson (Edinburgh).