London, Levallois-Perres (France): Uncapped props Zander Fagerson and Rory Sutherland were both included in Scotland’s 35-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship announced by coach Vern Cotter on Tuesday, while centre Alex Dunbar returned after a year out with injury.

Scotland, who suffered an agonising last-gasp World Cup quarter-final loss to eventual runners-up Australia after a controversial decision by South African referee Craig Joubert went against them, begin their Six Nations campaign at home to England on February 6.

Dunbar was recalled after a knee injury ruined his chances of playing at last year’s World Cup in England.

But Glasgow teammate Ryan Wilson was left out, with the flanker facing a potentially lengthy ban after being cited for allegedly grabbing Northampton’s scrum-half Lee Dickson in the groin.

The Scots will hope to use their encouraging World Cup performance as a springboard for an improved showing in the Six Nations, having finished with the ‘wooden spoon’ after losing all five of their matches in last season’s Championship.

“We’ve selected a mixture of experience with some exciting young players coming through, some of whom have experienced the Rugby World Cup and are eager to move forward, take the RBS 6 Nations head on and show that we can develop our game and be competitive,” said Cotter of a side that will again be captained by scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.

“I think there should be confidence,” the New Zealander added. “The guys have worked hard and improved. There are positive signs that we can compete, and this Championship will give us another opportunity to measure ourselves against very good opposition in a tough competition.

“The guys believe that we can compete, dominate and secure victories in these games.”

Mathieu Bastareaud was left out of the France squad with new manager Guy Noves naming 31 players and promising a new era of attacking rugby.

The burly centre had been omitted from two previous informal gatherings with former Toulouse boss Noves looking to rejuvenate a squad which exited last year’s World Cup following a record defeat by New Zealand.

“We want to build a team who will be able to improve a lot, and not taking players who would not be with us in two or three years,” Noves told a news conference.

“We want to make the French people who will support us happy.”

France start their Six Nations campaign at the Stade de France against Italy on February 6.