British and Irish Lions

Stuart McInally, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Peter Murchie, Tommy Seymour, Henry Pyrgos and Grant Gilchrist are all in line to make their international debuts against New Zealand, South Africa or Tonga as Scotland look to build on a superb summer.

Andy Robinson's men won all three fixtures in the southern hemisphere in June, seeing off the Lions' next opponents Australia, as well as Fiji and Samoa.

Only two of the uncapped seven were included in the squad for that trip, with Edinburgh back rower and former Scotland age-grade captain McInally and Glasgow centre Dunbar picking up experience but not featuring for their country in Newcastle, Lautoka and Apia.

"It's some four months since Scotland last played an international, so when the squad reconvenes there will be an element of renewing acquaintances and reigniting the spark and spirit that was such a key part of our success on our summer tour," said Robinson.

"We must look to build on the physical commitment of our players against Australia, Fiji and Samoa.

"Some young players have been brought into the squad. They've been playing well for their clubs and I'm pleased that they've got this opportunity.

"You look at the competition to get in the back row: I could have picked another six players there who I believe would perform well for Scotland.

"It's always an exciting time when the Scotland squad comes together ahead of the first Test match of the season.

"New Zealand are formidable opponents. They do the basics exceptionally well and play with a pace and ruthlessness. It's no coincidence that they are the best team in the world."

Scotland will be without the likes of Chris Cusiter, Rory Lamont, Graeme Morrison, Nikki Walker, Alasdair Dickinson, Ed Kalman and Moray Low through injury but flanker Kelly Brown is fit to feature for the first time since injury robbed him of his country's captaincy prior to last season's Six Nations.

Scotland squad:

Backs: Mike Blair (Brive), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne and Ruaridh Jackson (all Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw (both Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Peter Murchie, Henry Pyrgos (both Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Ross Ford and Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (London Irish), Stuart McInally and Ross Rennie (both Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) and Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby)

Not considered due to injury:

Backs: Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Cusiter, Rory Lamont, Graeme Morrison (all Glasgow Warriors), Nikki Walker (Worcester Warriors) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)

Forwards: Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), Stevie Lawrie (Edinburgh Rugby), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur and Jon Welsh (all Glasgow Warriors)

Scotland's autumn fixtures:

v New Zealand, Sunday November 11, Murrayfield
v South Africa, Saturday November 17, Murrayfield
v Tonga, Saturday November 24, Pittodrie

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.