Scotland make three changes for Six Nations clash against Ireland as veterans return
Townsend names the players aiming to make history in Dublin
Gregor Townsend has called up Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist for the Six Nations showdown with Ireland in Dublin as Scotland look to claim their first major honour in 27 years.
Williamson and Gilchrist step into the second-row vacancies created by the injuries to Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown in last weekend’s stunning 50-40 win over France.
Gilchrist came off the bench in the Murrayfield victory, as he also did in Scotland’s win over Wales last month. Williamson started in Cardiff but was replaced in the first half as the Scots struggled before coming back strongly after the interval.
Gilchrist will win his 88th cap and, in doing so, will break Scott Murray’s all-time Scottish international appearance record for a lock forward.
There is also a change in the front row, with a return to the starting XV for Zander Fagerson. The tighthead began on the bench against France, coming on at the end of the first half to replace D’arcy Rae. The two props swap roles this week, with Rae named as sub.
Townsend has picked the same backline which performed so impressively against France. Scotland scored seven tries in a remarkable performance, with wingers Kyle Steyn and Darcy Graham each bagging a double.
Steyn suffered a cut to his thigh and had to come off in the second half but has been passed fit to start at the Aviva Stadium, as has centre Huw Jones who also came off.
Scotland have made significant changes to their bench for Saturday, with Alex Craig, Magnus Bradbury and Kyle Rowe all selected for the first time in this championship.
Glasgow’s Craig will provide cover at second row while Edinburgh No 8 Bradbury offers a muscular option in the back row. Josh Bayliss and Freddy Douglas, replacements last weekend, drop out of the squad.
Rowe’s inclusion is reward for his fine form this season and the Glasgow player is likely to cover the back three in Dublin, although Tom Jordan is also on the bench as Townsend reverts to a five-three split of forwards and backs.
Whoever wins on Saturday will clinch the Triple Crown, something Scotland have not done since the Grand Slam season of 1990. However, the bigger prize is the title itself and Scotland, Ireland and France all go into the final day with designs on glory.
France and Scotland are joint top of the standings on 16 points, with Ireland on 14. The French, who host England in Paris on Saturday night, are in the box seat because they have the best points difference (+79). Scotland’s is +21 and Ireland’s is +16.
Scotland can become champions for the first time since 1999 if they win with a bonus point and France do not.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (capt), 11 Kyle Steyn; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Max Williamson, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D’arcy Rae, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21, George Horne, 22 Kyle Rowe, 23 Tom Jordan.
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