Scotland call up player from French second tier for Six Nations

Australia-born number eight Alexander Masibaka, who plays for Soyaux-Angouleme in the second tier of French rugby, has received a shock call-up to Scotland’s Six Nations squad.

Josh Bayliss is expected to miss the tournament after being added to the growing list of players who were unable to play for Bath on Sunday because of a groin injury.

The 23-year-old was born in Perth, WA, and had a mother from Paisley and a father from Fiji, before being signed by French club Montpellier in 2022.

The Top 14 side loaned him the following campaign to Pro D2 side Angouleme, where he has remained this season.

Head coach Gregor Townsend also selected two locks, Leicester’s Cameron Henderson and Oyonnax’ Ewan Johnson, as well as uncapped Glasgow lock or back row Euan Ferrie and Warriors full-back Ollie Smith.

Masibaka, who is 6ft 1in and 18st, has scored 12 tries in 30 games for the club in south-west France, where he plays with former England winger Jonny May.

Scotland’s management have been tracking him since 2021 and want a closer look at his power and ball-carrying game.

Townsend was limited in his options when looking for a replacement for Bayliss because of Jack Dempsey and Jack Mann being his squad’s top eights.

The other eligible players in that position are young players who are raw, while Magnus Bradbury is receiving a suspension and Ben Muncaster, who is also injured.

Bayliss ‘ withdrawal means Townsend has now lost for the entire tournament four of the original squad he named on 15 January – Sione Tuipulotu, Dylan Richardson, Scott Cummings and now Bayliss.

Before he named that squad he was already without Kyle Steyn, Adam Hastings, Max Williamson, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Muncaster.

The majority of those nine players would either play for the starting XV or likely make the matchday squad.

Jonny Gray, who hasn’t played three games since the middle of October and none since the middle of December, is also concerned.

The lock was scheduled to make a comeback against Lyon on Saturday, but Bordeaux determined against him.