Veteran lock Scott Murray has been left out of the Scotland Six Nations squad announced by coach Frank Hadden on Tuesday.

Hadden named a 35-man training squad for the tournament starting next month but did not include the 87-times capped Murray (pictured), now playing for French side Montauban.

Murray made his international debut back in 1998 and toured with the British and Irish Lions to Australia in 2001. The 31-year-old last played for Scotland in their 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina in last September.

Hadden's squad, captained by Sale flanker Jason White, includes six non-capped players in Edinburgh backs Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca and Calum MacRae, Glasgow wing Thom Evans and prop Moray Low and Edinburgh loose forward Ross Rennie.

Hadden said during the announcement that he was pleased the new players were now pushing the more established internationals for their places.

"I continue to be impressed with the competition for places in the squad," Hadden said.

"A number of players have maintained their good form from the World Cup but they are going to be pushed extremely hard by some of our young, up and coming talent in the next few weeks."

Also missing from the squad that represented Scotland at the World Cup are prop Craig Smith and hooker Scott Lawson, while Andrew Henderson, Sean Lamont, Rob Dewey (all knee) and Simon Taylor (thumb) are all injured.

Centre Marcus Di Rollo is absent after informing Hadden that he wished to focus fully on his club commitments with Toulouse during the remainder of the French championship.

Scotland missed White when he was out with a knee injury during last season's Six Nations, finishing bottom after just one victory, which came against Wales.

But White was back for the World Cup and his renowned tackling and physicality gave the team a focal point as they reached the quarter-finals.

"Jason is a key figure for us," explained Hadden.

"He sets the tone as a leader both on and off the field and I look forward to working with him again during this season's Championship."

Edinburgh's Phil Godman has been recalled and will contest the fly-half position with Dan Parks and Chris Paterson, although Hadden may have plans to play Paterson back in his original position on the wing.

Scotland open their Six Nations campaign against France at Murrayfield on February 3.

Squad

Backs: Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Simon Webster (Edinburgh).

Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow), Dave Callam (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Jim Hamilton (Leicester), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow), Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), Euan Murray (Northampton), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Fergus Thomson (Glasgow) , Jason White (Sale - capt).

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport