Gregor Townsend says the forthcoming Six Nations could be his last as Scotland coach, as he revealed he has not held talks over a contract extension.

Townsend’s Scotland contract ends later this year and it has been widely speculated he will leave after the World Cup in France in September and October.

Townsend admitted his long-term future could lie away from the Scotland post, after naming a 40-man squad for the Six Nations.

“I’m not contracted beyond this year so of course [it could be a last Six Nations as Scotland coach],” the 49-year-old said as he named former England wing Ruaridh McConnochie in Scotland’s 40-man squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday, with Ireland U20 international Ben Healy also among a group of four uncapped players.

Former Scotland flyhalf Townsend, asked if he would like clarity about his future before the World Cup, replied: “Yes, of course. But we’ll just have to wait and see.

“No discussions have been had and I don’t see them taking place until after the Six Nations.”

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French media reports have claimed Townsend has been approached about taking up a position in France’s set-up following the World Cup.

“I did get a contact from France, but it was just an initial enquiry and there was nothing further from that because we obviously play France in the Six Nations so I didn’t want to talk any further with them about that,” he said.

Townsend has also been linked with Premiership champions Leicester after former head coach Steve Borthwick left to join England.

“Nothing about Leicester,” said Townsend. “I read that with some surprise. Most of the things I’ve read are speculation.”

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Townsend took charge of Scotland in 2017, with his reign dogged by a series of inconsistent results that have seen a talented side fail to sustain a challenge for the Six Nations title.

Scotland also squandered a nine-point lead during an eventual 31-23 defeat by New Zealand at Murrayfield in November, missing the chance to record a first win over the All Blacks.

Townsend was confident the uncertainty over his own future would not hamper Scotland’s efforts in a Six Nations they start against England at Twickenham on 4 February.

“No, I think it will be the last thing on the players’ minds,” he said. “We have a really important year of rugby for the national team. The Six Nations is a massive part of that, the World Cup is obviously huge.”

McConnochie, 31, was capped twice by England in 2019, featuring against the US at the World Cup in Japan.

But World Rugby’s eligibility rules allow a capped player to switch allegiance to another country for which they are eligible following a three-year cooling-off period.

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The Bath back’s change follows a similar switch by former Australia-turned-Scotland international Jack Dempsey, who made his Dark Blues debut earlier this season, with McConnochie now opting to represent the nation of his father’s birth.

With fellow wing Darcy Graham injured, McConnochie could make his Scotland debut against England.

“When the rule changed, we were quickly aware of who that would apply to,” said Townsend. “In October I spent a day in Bath and caught up with Ruaridh and he told me it was his ambition to get into a Scotland squad at some stage.”

Munster flyhalf Healy, qualified to play for Scotland through his maternal grandparents, has been called up following an injury to Adam Hastings and will compete for the No 10 shirt with Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn.

With Joey Carbery and Jack Crowley blocking Healy’s path at provincial level, he has decided to pursue a career in Scotland and is joining Edinburgh next season.

The 23-year-old could face Ireland in the fourth round of this season’s Six Nations and at the World Cup in France, with the two Celtic nations in the same pool.

“We feel he’s got Test match ability,” said Townsend. “His kicking game is strong, he’s confident and he leads the attack well when he gets the opportunity to do that at Munster.”

Experienced backs Sean Maitland and Huw Jones have both been recalled, with back-row forward Jamie Ritchie continuing as Scotland captain.

Full Scotland squad: Backs: Chris Harris (Gloucester/ENG), Ben Healy (Munster/IRL), Stuart Hogg (Exeter/ENG), George Horne (Glasgow), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Sean Maitland (Saracens/ENG), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath/ENG), Stafford McDowell (Glasgow), Ali Price, Cameron Redpath (Bath/ENG), Finn Russell (Racing 92/FRA), Ollie Smith (Glasgow), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (London Irish/ENG). Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Sale/ENG), Josh Bayliss (Bath/ENG), Simon Berghan (Glasgow), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Fraser Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Andy Christie (Saracens/ENG), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Exeter), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Cameron Henderson (Leicester/ENG), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh, capt), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets/WAL), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh) Rory Sutherland (Ulster/IRL), George Turner (Glasgow), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)

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Photo: @photo0 / AFP/Vincenzo Pinto