Ruaridh Jackson has also represented Scotland 'A' and Sevens © Getty Images

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Players/Officials Frank Hadden | Ruaridh Jackson

Tournaments/Tours Six Nations | Six Nations Under-20's

Teams Scotland

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has included two uncapped players in his 33-man squad for the 2009 Six Nations.

Edinburgh prop Geoff Cross and Glasgow fly-half Ruaridh Jackson have been included in their first senior Scotland squad after previously representing Scotland A. The versatile Jackson has been selected as a fly-half despite having only started a single game for Glasgow in the position. Mike Blair will continue as captain for the tournament, which begins with the visit of Grand Slam champions Wales to Murrayfield on February 8.

Hadden is in good heart ahead of the tournament, no doubt buoyed by Glasgow's superb 33-26 Heineken Cup win over Toulouse on Saturday and the ever-improving form of Andy Robinson's Edinburgh.

"I'm delighted by the number of players who are putting up their hands as genuine candidates for international selection," he said. "The victories of both pro-teams last weekend and the manner in which they achieved their results is also very encouraging as are our ticket sales to date with our home match against Ireland sold-out and now more than 60,000 tickets sold for our opening game against Wales."

Hadden has been able to select a powerful set of forwards, with Lions hopefuls Euan Murray and Ross Ford among his front-row options and the monster second-row pairing of Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton looking set to continue. Sale flanker Jason White has made the cut, with Hadden expecting White to have recovered from hand surgery in time for the tournament.

In the backs, both Thom and Max Evans get the nod after excellent performances in Toulouse, while centres Ben Cairns and Graeme Morrison have been in superb form for Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively.

Hadden, who recently appointed former Scotland fly-half Gregor Townsend to his coaching staff, has many reasons to be confident heading into the competition but also harbours a great deal of respect for their first opponents.

"Wales are the current Grand Slam champions. Their regional format is working efficiently and paying dividends," he said. "They are a settled, star-studded side and they proved with their win against Australia during the Autumn Tests that they are currently one of the best sides in the world.

"Momentum is vital in such a short round of matches so we know the importance of starting well and getting a big Scottish crowd behind us."

New recruit Jackson was surprised to get the call, but has moved to assuage any doubts over his ability to step up to international level.

"I got a phonecall last night so it's quite a nice surprise," Jackson said. "I've had a few texts but I've been out doing some fitness work today so that's been my celebration!"

"Ever since I started playing rugby when I was young, I watched the internationals. You just dream of playing them and playing at Murrayfield. Hopefully, the dream is starting to come true.

"I've been fly-half pretty much all my life and I've had a few games at full-back. I've played a mixture of both this year but stand-off is where I'm most comfortable. Obviously, there's going to be pressure there and being involved with Scotland is the biggest experience I'll have had. But, as a professional, that's what you relish. You want to be in the big-pressure situations - that's hopefully where you can excel."

Jackson is not content with warming the bench however, and intends to challenge Dan Parks and Phil Godman for the fly-half jersey.

"As a player, whatever squad you're in, you want to be playing. I'm definitely down the pecking order at the moment behind Godman and Parks etc. They'll be pretty hard to get past. I'm just looking to stake a claim in training, whether I make the first game or not. Hopefully with the 'A' games, if I get a chance there, I can prove myself.

"You never know what can happen. You can get injuries, but hopefully if I'm playing well, I can get involved."

Jackson also said that he would gladly step into the firing line against Wales and attempt to keep the buzz going around Scottish rugby.

" I'd grab that opportunity right now if he [Hadden] gave it to me - I'd love it if he did. But we'll see what happens. It's definitely exciting. Scotland were very close to beating South Africa - probably should've done - then scored a lot of good tries against Canada.

"The last couple of games with the pro teams, there have been some pretty exciting results, so Scottish rugby definitely seems to be on the up. It's a good time to be involved, exciting for everyone."

Scotland squad for the Six Nations championship:

Backs: Mike Blair (capt), Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Thom Evans, Max Evans (both Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks (both Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson, Hugo Southwell and Simon Webster (all Edinburgh)

Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown (both Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Hamilton, Jim Hamilton (both Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Allister Hogg, Allan Jacobsen (both Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), Jason White (Sale Sharks).