MUSSELBURGH-born centre Huw Jones returns to the Scotland squad for the Autumn Tests against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.

Jones missed the summer tour with a hamstring injury suffered against Italy in the Six Nations (pictured below, by Alastair Ross), but is now back in action and will link up with the squad for the three games, all at BT Murrayfield next month. 

East Lothian Courier:

The eight-times capped back is joined in the squad by 10 uncapped players, including Jones' soon-to-be Glasgow Warriors team-mates Jamie Bhatti, Scott Cummngs and George Turner.

The other uncapped players are Edinburgh's Phil Burleigh, Darryl Marfo, Nathan Fowles and Jamie Ritchie, Sale Sharks' Byron McGuigan, Newcastle Falcons wing Chris Harris and Leicester Tigers back-row Luke Hamilton.

There is no place for Josh Strauss or Tim Visser, while captain Greig Laidlaw was ruled out last week through injury.

Gregor Townsend will oversee his first series as Scotland head coach since succeeding county resident Vern Cotter in the role in the summer. 

And on the squad selection, he said: "The players selected have worked exceptionally hard at their clubs to earn inclusion in the national squad and we're looking forward to working with them throughout the autumn series.

“We’re facing two of the world’s top three sides after a significant challenge from Samoa in our opening game.

"It will be an excellent challenge for our players.”