Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg, Blade Thomson, Jonny Gray named in Scotland team to play Wales

Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg have been named in the Scotland team to play Wales in the Six Nations in Llanelli on Saturday.

Stuart Hogg will captain Scotland against Wales on Saturday. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Russell is picked at stand-off in place of Adam Hastings who drops to the bench following the win over Georgia last Friday.

It is the Racing 92 player’s first start for Scotland since the Rugby World Cup defeat by Japan over a year ago following a falling out with the Scotland management. He impressed as a substitute against Georgia.

Hogg returns to captain the side from full-back after missing the Georgia game due to club duties with Exeter who he helped win the English Premiership final against Wasps at the weekend.

Blair Kinghorn, who scored a try in the 48-7 win over the Georgians, switches from full-back to wing, with Duhan van der Merwe dropping to the bench.

Hogg’s Exeter team-mate Jonny Gray also comes into the Scotland side, replacing Ben Toolis who is named among the replacements.

The fourth personnel change sees Blade Thomson picked at No 8 in place of Matt Fagerson who was injured against Georgia.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “It’s been great to bring in quality and experience to our starting line-up with players such as Stuart, Jonny and Finn who have been involved in some high-level games in recent weeks. We were also encouraged by Blade’s display at the weekend for Scarlets, which is a timely boost given last weekend’s injury to Matt Fagerson.”

Scotland team (v Wales, Saturday, 2.15pm, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli)

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs)

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh)

13. Chris Harris (Gloucester)

12. James Lang (Harlequins)

11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)

10. Finn Russell (Racing 92)

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh)

2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)

3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)

4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors)

5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs)

6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)

7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)

8. Blade Thomson (Scarlets)

Substitutes:

16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh)

17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors)

18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh)

19. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh)

20. Cornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors)

21. Scott Steele (Harlequins)

22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)

23. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh)