(Reuters) -Lock Jonny Gray will make his first check start in virtually a 12 months after being named within the line-up for Scotland of their Six Nations opener towards England at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Exeter Chiefs participant will companion Grant Gilchrist within the second row and together with the return of prop Rory Sutherland, brings added expertise within the pack for what’s prone to be a bruising battle up entrance.
“The beginning 15 we now have named has a constant really feel to it which is nice for cohesion however we may also profit from returning gamers comparable to Jonny Gray and Rory Sutherland, who’ve been essential gamers for us in current seasons,” coach Gregor Townsend mentioned in a media launch from Scottish Rugby.
Sutherland will companion Zander Fagerson and hooker George Turner within the entrance row, whereas the again three within the scrum are flankers Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson alongside quantity eight Matt Fagerson.
Flyhalf Finn Russell will look to regulate the sport alongside scrumhalf Ali Price, whereas the centre pairing is Sam Johnson and Chris Harris.
Captain Stuart Hogg is at fullback and can be a harmful runner, hoping to work in tandem with wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe.
Uncapped London Irish scrumhalf Ben White might make his debut off the bench.
“Ben White has been in superb type for London Irish and has educated properly within the final two weeks, so can strategy his first involvement at check degree with actual confidence,” Townsend mentioned.
Team:
15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – (Captain) – 88 caps
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps
12. Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 13 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – (Vice-Captain) – 58 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 46 caps
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – (Vice-Captain) – 31 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 48 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 20 caps
1. Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 16 caps
Replacements:
16. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
18. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 43 caps
19. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 14 caps
21. Ben White – London Irish – Uncapped
22 Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 28 caps
23 Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
(Reporting by Nick Said, Editing by Toby Davis and Ed Osmond)
