:Flyhalf Finn Russell will lead Scotland in their Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday with co-captain Rory Darge missing out through injury, though the back row forward will return for the visit of France on Feb. 10.
Russell forms a half-back pairing with number nine Ben White, while Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are reunited in the midfield and there is a back three of wings Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn, with Kyle Rowe at fullback.
The latter takes the number 15 jersey with Blair Kinghorn ruled out of the first two games of the championship through injury.
“Blair played on Sunday for Toulouse and picked up a knee injury,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said. “We thought he would be good to go for the weekend, but after having a scan, he will miss the first two games of the championship.
“While that is a blow for Blair, it is an opportunity for Kyle, who has been in great form for Glasgow and someone we have been looking at as fullback cover.”
The front row of the scrum contains hooker George Turner, with props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson either side of him. There are two potential prop debuts among the replacements, with Alec Hepburn and Elliot Millar-Mills on the bench.
Richie Gray and Scott Cummings are the lock pairing, while former captain Jamie Ritchie is selected on the side of the scrum alongside fellow flanker Luke Crosbie, with Matt Fagerson at number eight.
“Rory is in from the final stages of his rehab, this game came too soon for him but he will be back next week,” Townsend said. “We have gone for experienced players (in the back row) that have played together and that we believe are in form.
“They know they have this opportunity and they will have to play well. It is probably the area of the pitch where we have the most depth in the squad.”
Townsend is expecting a typically physical confrontation from what is a relatively inexperienced Wales side.
“There will be physicality, Wales always play with passion, target the ruck area in attack and defence. We expect to be tested there,” he said.
Scotland are seeking a first win in Cardiff since 2002, though they did claim a 14-10 victory in front of empty stands in Llanelli during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Scotland team: 15-Kyle Rowe, 14-Kyle Steyn, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Sione Tuipulotu, 11-Duhan van der Merwe, 10-Finn Russell (captain), 9-Ben White; 1-Pierre Schoeman, 2-George Turner, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Scott Cummings, 6-Luke Crosbie, 7-Jamie Ritchie, 8-Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16-Ewan Ashman, 17-Alec Hepburn, 18-Elliot Millar-Mills, 19-Sam Skinner, 20-Jack Dempsey, 21-George Horne, 22-Ben Healy, 23-Cameron Redpath.
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