The five home nations' Aussies are headed by Sione Tuipulotu, the Melburnian who captains Scotland and is even a contender to lead the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia this June and July.
Former Wallaby Jack Dempsey, the 30-year-old back rower who's fit again after being sidelined since sustaining a shoulder injury against South Africa in the November series, was also named in the Scots' squad by coach Gregor Townsend on Wednesday.
Ireland's Mack Hansen will be free to play England after his club suspension. (AP PHOTO)
The Ireland squad, also unveiled by interim coach Simon Easterby on Wednesday, will feature their two stalwarts from Canberra, winger Mack Hansen and prop Finlay Bealham, while Italy also boast winger Monty Ioane, another Melburnian, in their ranks.
Louis Lynagh, son of former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh, misses out on the Azzurri squad through injury.
Tuipulotu, who qualifies through his Scottish-born grandma and was named as Scotland's skipper for the November series, led them superbly to a win over the Wallabies.
Head Coach Gregor Townsend talks through his 37-player squad for the Guinness Men's Six Nations.— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) Read more ➡️ https://t.co/6O8DOExR0R pic.twitter.com/u1ELqxBrYLJanuary 15, 2025 Scotland coach Gregor Townsend enthused about Sione Tuipulotu's leadership.
With his leadership having be widely praised, he's been installed as captain again and is believed to be the first Australian to lead a side in the history of the European rugby championship.
"He thrived in the captaincy during the autumn, playing some of his best rugby in the Scotland jersey during that period, and he's been playing even better rugby since then, winning two or three man-of-the-match awards," said Townsend.
"He's in really good physical condition, and he's leading very well on and off the field too. We've got an experienced leadership group here, and I'm sure he'll do something similar this campaign, and just build on what he what he did in November."
Scotland, who haven't won the tournament since 1999 when it was still the Five Nations, are fancied to have a real crack at the title this year and will launch their bid against Italy in Edinburgh on February 1.
They will have another new Antipodean face with New Zealand-born fly-half Burke - who has a Scottish grandfather - earning his maiden call-up after moving from Canterbury to Saracens last year.
Hansen features in the Ireland squad following the recent controversy in which the Connacht winger was given a three-match ban for comments about the refereeing in his club's loss to Leinster.
Hansen had said the officiating of Connacht's United Rugby Championship defeat at Aviva Stadium just before Christmas had made it feel like they were playing against "16 men".
An independent disciplinary panel upheld a charge of misconduct against Hansen, who received a six-week suspension, three of which are suspended, but following apologies for his comments from the 26-year-old, he'll be free to play against England on February 1.
Ireland's bid to win a third successive title for the first time has also been boosted by the return of key players, including fit-again hooker Dan Sheehan, New Zealand-born wing James Lowe and fullback Hugo Keenan.
