Six Nations 2024: Glasgow Warriors’ Ally Miller given first Scotland call as Hamish Watson drops out

Glasgow Warriors back-row Ally Miller has been given his first Scotland call-up before Saturday’s Six Nations visit to Ireland.

Warriors prop Jamie Bhatti and and Edinburgh second-rower Glen Young also drop out having not featured in Saturday’s defeat by Italy.

Miller, who initially struggled for form after joining Warriors from Edinburgh in 2021, has been rewarded by national head coach Gregor Townsend for his excellent form under Franco Smith this season.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Glasgow second-rowers Alex Samuel and Max Williamson have also joined Scotland’s senior squad training.

Miller’s second-row Warriors team-mate Scott Cummings is adamant that Scotland will have no Rome hangover in Dublin.

Had the Scots won in Italy at the weekend, they would be heading to Ireland this weekend for a title shootout with their hosts.

Instead, the visit to the Irish capital has become an exercise in saving face for Townsend’s under-pressure team.

If Scotland – currently third in the table – lose on Saturday, they will end the tournament with just two wins from five and could feasibly finish fifth if Italy defeat Wales.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Cummings said. “To get a win out there, we’re going to have to have a 10 out of 10 performance.

“Ireland are one of the best teams in the world. We need to change one or two things and make sure we finish this campaign the way we want to.”

Scotland have not won in Dublin since 2010 and have lost each of their past nine meetings with Ireland, including a chastening 36-14 World Cup pool-stage defeat in Paris just five months ago.

However, Cummings insisted: “In the big games, the mentality takes care of itself.

“We remember that last game at the World Cup when we didn’t show up how we wanted to show up and that still lives in our memories. There’s going to be no shortage of motivation after Saturday’s game.”