Scotland vs Italy: The Teams
Yesterday at 12:40 PM
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
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