It’s full steam ahead for Scotland in the backline, with Stafford McDowall the man chosen to replace injured captain Sione Tuipulotu in the midfield alongside Huw Jones. Other than that everyone is first choice and not really a surprise given the team will want to avenge last year’s loss to Italy and get the tournament going with a win.
In the pack it’s a different story, with former housewive’s favourite Dave Cherry restored to favour at hooker, somewhat surprisingly. Jonny Gray is also back from the wilderness with (we hope) full fitness restored.
Another surprise in the back row with Jamie Ritchie selected over Jack Dempsey but putting Edinburgh aside, Ritchie was superb in Scotland’s last test against Australia while Dempsey was injured. From that point of view, the shirt is still his to keep for this game at least, with Dempsey ready to unleash off the bench.
Hero of the autumn Tom Jordan also takes a place on the bench alongside a selection of the remaining fit players. Ashman, Dempsey and Brown in particular will have good opportunities to push for a spot in the starting XV for the next round if given enough time to convince the coaches in the stands.
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan Van der Merwe, Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge (co-capt), Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Gregor Brown, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe.
Italy: tbc
Replacements: tbc
6 responses
Solid team. Replacements look strong.
Surprised Cherry gets another chance after his BBQ + stairs incident before the RWC and he is not usually a starter for Edinburgh.
We really lack depth in the front 5. I think that might be our undoing.
I hope McDowall can replicate some of Siones explosiveness and guile.
Not that optimistic this championship. Think our chance was last year and we blew it.
Hard to disagree… but then you remember how close we were to losing to Wales too!
The good news is that we can sustain the loss of Tui and Cummins. Richie is good enough for Italy if he keeps his mouth shut and his paws to himself, he is a bit green, green RED for me . A game to win cleanly (no red cards) and avoid injury.
But is johnny Gray fit enough for international rugby? He hasn’t played for 6 weeks & only 3 games since October, that is a big risk & it’s always a struggle against Italy.
I think you are actually saying you doubt his fitness ? Why would he be picked if he was not ? More importantly what does he bring that the alternatives do not ! I suspect he is not the first pick for next week and it was match experience for him.