Scotland host Wales at Murrayfield in their 2023 6 Nations Spherical 2 fixture on Saturday (4.45pm kick-off) Gregor Townsend’s facet are searching to construct on very last week’s wonderful 29-23 victory over England at Twickenham Tighthead prop Zander Fagerson returns in the only alter to the squad
By Michael Cantillon
Last Up-to-date: 09/02/23 1:29pm
Zander Fagerson has returned to start out at tighthead prop in Scotland’s only modify to experience Wales
Zander Fagerson has returned to start off at tighthead prop in the only adjust to Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad to experience Wales in Round 2 of the Six Nations.
Fagerson’s return sees expert campaigner WP Nel drop to the bench, and Simon Berghan drop out of the squad, with the remainder of the starting XV and replacements the exact same.
Duhan van der Merwe’s double observed Scotland make it a few Calcutta Cup wins in a row for the 1st time due to the fact 1972 as they beat England 29-23 in last week’s Six Nations encounter at Twickenham.
A talented back again division of entire-again Stuart Hogg, wings Kyle Steyn and Van der Merwe, centres Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu, fly-50 percent Finn Russell, and scrum-fifty percent Ben White will glimpse for consistency in performances which has so typically alluded Scotland in new decades.
Duhan van der Merwe shone on the wing for Scotland vs England at Twickenham
In the forward pack, loosehead Pierre Schoeman and hooker George Turner husband or wife Fagerson in the front row, although Richie Grey and Grant Gilchrist are partnered once more in the next row.
The back row is skipper Jamie Ritchie at blindside flanker, Luke Crosbie at openside, and Matt Fagerson – brother of returnee prop Zander – at No 8.
The replacements, aside from Nel, read the identical: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Jonny Gray and Jack Dempsey as forwards protect George Horne, Blair Kinghorn and Chris Harris as backs deal with.
Gregor Townsend has held issues largely the exact as Scotland search for regularity
The past two Six Nations strategies have viewed Scotland defeat England on the opening day, only to undergo defeat at the hands of Wales in Round 2, and quell momentum and title ambitions.
This yr, with Wales properly beaten at residence to Ireland in Cardiff previous calendar year, is perhaps Scotland’s best prospect to create momentum in a way they have unsuccessful to for several a long time.
Townsend’s squad are substantial on self-assurance, and with dwelling gain in Edinburgh way too.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Luke Crosbie, 8 Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 George Horne, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Chris Harris.