Amongst them is Jamie Ritchie, the back row having been named captain for the tournament in France. He has made a total of 29 appearances in EPCR competitions

The other Edinburgh forwards called up are Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner and Pierre Schoeman. Lock Grant Gilchrist, with 64 caps, also makes the cut. He played 80 minutes in all of Edinburgh’s matches in the Champions Cup last season.

Amongst the backs are four Edinburgh players. Darcy Graham and Ben Healy make the cut, with fullback Blair Kinghorn and wing Duhan van der Merwe expected to be big threats in attack.

Scotland face current World Cup champions South Africa in their opening World Cup match in Pool B, and will also meet Tonga, Romania and Ireland.

Meanwhile Edinburgh will start their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign in the tournament’s opening match as they take on ASM Clermont Auvergne on Friday 8 December at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

A string of Edinburgh Rugby players will be key to Scotland’s World Cup hope, after 14 players from the EPCR Challenge Cup side were called up to the 33-man squad.