John Leslie is the only high-profile absentee from the 28-man Six Nations training squad announced by Ian McGeechan. Leslie who injured his ankle in last years World Cup, is still under contractual obligations with Japanese club side Sanix. His impending marriage in his native New Zealand though seems the prime reason for his ommission. McGeechan has still to name a captain to replace the retired figure of Gary Armstrong. Scotland squad for national training session on January 17th and 18th is as follows : Backs Duncan Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), Kenny Logan (London Wasps), Shaun Longstaff (Glasgow Caledonians), James McLaren (Bourgoin-Jallieu), Jamie Mayer (Bristol), Glenn Metcalfe (Glasgow Caledonians), Cameron Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), Andy Nicol (Glasgow Caledonians), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Reivers), Bryan Redpath (Narbonne), Graham Shiel (Edinburgh Reivers), Gregor Townsend (Brive). Forwards Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), George Graham (Newcastle Falcons), Stuart Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), David Hilton (Glasgow Caledonians), Martin Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), Cameron Mather (Edinburgh Reivers), Scott Murray (Saracens), Budge Pountney (Northampton), Andy Reed (London Wasps), Stuart Reid (Narbonne), Robert Russell (Saracens), Gordon Simpson (Glasgow Caledonians), Tom Smith (Brive), Mattie Stewart (Northampton), Peter Walton (Newcastle Falcons), Doddie Weir (Newcastle Falcons). Scotland A squad for training session on 17 January: Backs Graeme Beveridge (Glasgow Caledonians), Alan Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), Iain Fairley (Edinburgh Reivers), Craig Joiner (Leicester), Derrick Lee (Edinburgh Reivers), Mark McKenzie (Bourgoin-Jallieu), Craig Moir (Northampton), Alistair Murdoch (Bedford), David Officer (NEC Harlequins), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Reivers) [See note], Jon Stuart (Glasgow Caledonians). Forwards Steve Brotherstone (Brive), Stewart Campbell (Glasgow Caledonians), Graham Dall (Edinburgh Reivers), Carl Hogg (Edinburgh Reivers), Paul Johnstone (Bristol), Gordon McIlwham (Glasgow Caledonians), Don Mackinnon (Northampton), Richard Metcalfe (Northampton), Matt Proudfoot (Edinburgh Reivers), Gavin Scott (Glasgow Caledonians), Barry Stewart (Edinburgh Reivers), Jason White (Glasgow Caledonians). Note: Chris Paterson will train with Scotland A before joining the full national squad on Monday evening. Four Scotland under-21 squad members will be attached to the squads in line with national coach Ian McGeechan’s declared intention to integrate young players of potential. Simon Taylor (Heriot’s FP) and Ian McInroy (Glasgow Caledonians) will work with the full Scotland squad, while Tom Palmer (Leeds) and Donnie Macfadyen (Glasgow Caledonians) will be with the Scotland A squad. Don Mackinnon (Northampton) No.8/flanker. Born 27.3.71 in Invercargill, New Zealand. 6ft 2in, 17st. Donald Charles Mackinnon, though born in New Zealand, took up rugby at the age of five in Australia, his family having moved from Invercargill to Melbourne soon after his first birthday. He went on to play for Australian Schools at under-16 and under-17 levels and also for Queensland under-21. He later played for Queensland in the Super 10 series, and after six months in France with the Grenoble club he joined Northampton in 1996. He qualifies for Scotland as his father was born in Edinburgh. Jon Stuart (Glasgow Caledonians) Centre. Born 29.12.75 in Burnley. 6ft, 15st. Jonathan Hamilton Stuart played for Scotland’s under-21 team as a replacement against Ireland three years ago while he was a student at Loughborough University. He was educated at Pocklington Grammar School before going on to study at Loughborough, and he also had two spells in French club rugby, the second with PUC in Paris, before he joined Leicester in his final year at university. This season he enlisted with Glasgow Caledonians, whom he has captained twice, first against the Scotland squad warming up for the World Cup and then in theWelsh/Scottish League match at Dunvant. His rugby interest is not confined to playing the game as he recently coached the Glasgow University team in the Students’ European Cup. He qualifies for Scotland through a paternal grandfather who was born in Glasgow. For further information please contact the SRU: Tel: +44 131 346 5000 Fax: +44 131 346 5001 Website: www.sru.org.uk