WORCESTER Warriors back-row forward Cornell du Preez has been recalled by Scotland in their initial 38-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

Du Preez has been in top from for Warriors this season, starting in all but one Gallagher Premiership game so far and cementing his position at number eight in Alan Solomons’ side.

The 28-year-old won the last of his six caps against Wales in Cardiff in the 2018 Six Nations and joined Warriors from Edinburgh the following summer.

Du Preez suffered a fractured larynx on his Warriors debut against Wasps in September 2018 but made an astonishing recovery and was back playing again within six months.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We’ve put a bigger emphasis on form as a guide for our selection with those picked backed to go out and grab their opportunity.

“We’re on to our next campaign now and it’s going to be very tough given the competition we face.

"Ireland have only lost one championship game at home in the last five years and England were in great form in Japan.

“It’s a positive that we have depth in the number of positions and more players available to play than we did this time last season so let’s hope that continues over the duration of the tournament.”