"Positive discussions have taken place with stand-off Finn Russell" - Russell could make Scotland return
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Finn Russell will not play for Scotland at this year's Six Nations, but could yet make return to the international stage for the tour of South Africa and New Zealand.
The Racing 92 flyhalf and coach Gregor Townsend are believe to have spoken on the phone several times last week, with conversations between the two described as "positive", but his exile from the squad is set to continue until the end of this current tournament.
He has not been considered for selection following a breach of team protocol back in January, reportedly ordering a third beer at the team hotel, breaching the pre-agreed limit of two.
WATCH: Finn Russell's intercept try against La Rochelle.
The Scottish Rugby Union has responded to recent reports and have confirmed that the pair could yet reconcile.
It tweeted: "While not named in the squad, positive discussions have taken place with stand-off Finn Russell, with the goal of these being continued over the next few weeks in order for him to be involved in the forthcoming Summer Tests."
View this post on InstagramFinn Russell is expected to return to the squad in time for the tour to South Africa 🏉
Meanwhile, Edinburgh second-row Lewis Carmichael has been added to Scotland's 37-man squad named for the remaining rounds of the 2020 Six Nations. The 24-year-old has impressed for the PRO14 Conference B leaders since his return last year from a season-long injury layoff and will now aim to add to the two caps – which included a try-scoring debut – earned on the 2018 summer tour.
Carmichael replaces Worcester Warriors back-row Cornell du Preez, while it was confirmed clubmate and wing Darcy Graham will play no part in the tournament following the knee injury he sustained at the start of the campaign.
SCOTLAND SQUAD - 2020 Six Nations
FORWARDS (21)
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh)
Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh)
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh)
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
Lewis Carmichael (Edinburgh)
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors)
Allan Dell (London Irish)
Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh)
Tom Gordon (Glasgow Warriors)
Nick Haining (Edinburgh)
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh)
Willem Nel (Edinburgh)
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs)
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh)
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh)
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors)
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)
BACKS (16)
Chris Harris (Gloucester)
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) CAPTAIN
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors)
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)
Sean Maitland (Saracens)
Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks)
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)
Henry Pyrgos (Edinburgh)
Matt Scott (Edinburgh)
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors)
Ratu Tagive (Glasgow Warriors)
Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors)
