Despite being born in Swansea and playing for Wales Under-20s, Shingler qualifies for Scotland through his mother Jeanette and his impressive form for English side London Irish has prompted Andy Robinson to include him in the 36-man squad.

Also in line to win their first caps are Edinburgh winger Lee Jones, Glasgow trio Stuart Hogg, Duncan Weir and Rob Harley along with Sale Sharks’ loose forward Fraser McKenzie.

While Chris Paterson and Nathan Hines have retired from international duty, the remainder of Scotland’s World Cup squad retain their places.

There is no room however for Wasps full-back Hugo Southwell or Glasgow back-rower Johnnie Beattie, who was part of the effective Killer B’s back-row combination in the 2010 Championship.

The back-row will be one of a number of selection dilemmas facing Robinson with the question of who will start in the No.10 shirt probably the most intriguing.

Cardiff veteran Dan Parks and Glasgow Warriors’ Ruaridh Jackson shared the fly-half berth in 2011 but the impressive form of Edinburgh’s Greig Laidlaw, who also plays at scrum-half, and Duncan Weir who is the RaboDirect PRO12’s leading points scorer will give Robinson plenty of food for thought.

While 15 of the players selected are based outside Scotland, Robinson remains encouraged by the healthy representation of up-and-coming players from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

He said: “I am pleased to reflect on the winning displays we have seen from both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors over the last two months and the contribution a number of our uncapped players have made to them.

“I think what’s also encouraging is that a number of players who have forced their way into contention in that period and who have not made the squad this time, are really knocking on the door and that competition for places can only raise our standards, so this Scotland squad can be very much a work in progress over the coming months.

“We said after the Rugby World Cup that the challenge the Scotland squad must confront is to get on with the business of winning international rugby matches.  Potential counts for nothing if you don’t deliver results.”

Scotland squad for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations opening two matches:

Backs: Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Max Evans (Castres), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson (both Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw (both Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Steven Shingler (London Irish) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)

Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton (both Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Fraser McKenzie (Sale Sharks), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) and Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks).