Scotland team to face Wales: Edinburgh winger back in the Six Nations fold as replacements for injured trio named
Gregor Townsend has confirmed his Scotland starting XV and replacements to face Wales in Cardiff.
The Scotland Coach has made five changes from the side that regained the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield last weekend, three of which were forced through injuries.
The Scots got back to winning ways last weekend, beating England 31-20 after their opening day disaster in Rome. On a day that reignited the feel-good factor at Murrayfield, the only caveat was three injury woes.
The Six Nations is over for Jack Dempsey and Jamie Ritchie, who suffered a bicep injury and tibial plateau fracture respectively. Versatile back rower Jamie Dobie’s shoulder injury wasn’t as severe as his teammates, but he is still ‘unlikely’ to return before the end of the Championships.
As Scotland now look to lift the Doddie Weir Cup for the fourth time in a row, Gregor Townsend has names his replacements for the injured trio, while introducing some his more experienced campaigners for Saturday’s Principality Stadium showdown.
Injured trio replacements named, Duhan back in the fold
After being omitted from both squads against Italy and England, Duhan van der Merwe will take the place of Dobie on the wing as he looks to cement his place back in the starting XV. Blair Kinghorn, who grabbed a brace in last year’s Doddie Weir Cup, replaces Tom Jordan at full back, while Calcutta Cup Man of the Match Kyle Steyn keeps his place on the wing. Ben White, Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones all start.
In the front row Nathan McBeth and Zander Fagerson retain their place as starting props despite both struggling in the scrum against England, however this time they’ll be accompanied by the experienced Dave Cherry, who is the only forward that doesn’t play for Glasgow Warriors, as he comes in for George Turner.
Matt Fagerson was in the running for Man of the Match against England despite only entering the field of play at half time. In a back row shake up, he’ll start at number eight against Wales, while Gregor Brown will move to blindside flanker along with Rory Darge. Max Williamson comes in at lock alongside the experienced Scott Cummings to make up the Warriors partnership in the engine room.
On the bench, it’s a 5-3 split once again with George Turner, Pierre Schoeman and Elliot Millar Mills covering the front row. Grant Gilchrist could be called upon if Scotland need a bit of experience on Saturday, while Josh Bayliss’ pace and power gives Townsend that X factor in the back row. George Horne has been mightily impressive in both games he’s came off the bench so far and adds that bit of spark at half-back. Bristol Bears’ Tom Jordan and Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham make up the 23.
Scotland squad to face Wales:
15. Blair Kinghorn - Toulouse (60)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (30)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (60)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (35) – Captain
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh Rugby (50)
10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (91) - Vice-captain
9. Ben White – Toulon (33)
1. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (7)
2. Dave Cherry – Vannes (16)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (78)
4. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (47)
6. Gregor Brown - Glasgow Warriors (14)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (36) - Vice-captain
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors
Replacements
16. George Turner – Harlequins (52) 17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (46) 18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (13) 19. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby (78) 20. Josh Bayliss - Bath Rugby (11) 21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (42) 22. Tom Jordan - Bristol Bears (14) 23. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (52)