RORY Darge could be in line to make his Scotland debut against England on the opening day of the Six Nations.

The Glasgow Warriors star was named in Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend’s 39-man squad for the tournament last Wednesday.

Darge, of Aberlady, is one of five uncapped players in the squad, which plays its first game against England on Saturday (February 5).

The 21-year-old has previously been called up to the national squad on two occasions but missed out on making his debut through games being cancelled by Covid-19 and then an ankle injury.

Speaking to Courier Sport in October, when he was called up for the Autumn Nations Series against Tonga, Australia, world champions South Africa and Japan, Darge described the chance to represent his country as “a dream come true”.

He said: “It is a childhood dream to represent Scotland. I have supported Scotland for a long time and watched them when I was a kid.

“I have supported them all my life pretty much and to be involved and to get a cap would be a dream come true.”

The former Aberlady Primary School and North Berwick High School pupil was called up to the national side last year for contests with England A, Romania and Georgia.

Darge, who swapped Edinburgh Rugby for Glasgow Warriors last season, had even been named in the starting line-up against England A before all three fixtures were wiped out by Covid.

Then, at the end of last year, Darge missed out on featuring in any of the four Autumn Nations Series games due to an ankle injury.

However, his impressive form for Glasgow, which has seen him make 13 appearances, has kept him in the mind of the Scotland head coach.

Eighty-two-times-capped Townsend is no stranger to lifting the Calcutta Cup, having been part of the Scotland side that defeated England 19-13 at Murrayfield in 2000.

He said: “When you look through the squad, this is the most competitive I’ve seen it in so many areas and that’s testament to the strength and depth we have.

“We are able to call-up several new players into the squad such as Andy Christie, Kyle Rowe and Ben White.

“We have been aware of all of the uncapped players for a while now and recently they have all experienced a breakthrough in terms of their performances at club level.

“A key part of the squad selection was rewarding form and that definitely applies to Ben Vellacott and Rory Darge, who have been excellent for their clubs this season.”