6N: France v Scotland: two changes to visiting XV as Jack Dempsey drops out squad
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GREGOR BROWN and Matt Fagerson have been added to Scotland’s starting XV for Saturday night’s Six Nations finale against France in Paris, in the second-row and at No 8 respectively, with Jonny Gray dropping to the bench and Jack Dempsey out of the squad altogether due to a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh second-row Marshall Sykes and his back-row club-mate Ben Muncaster are in line for their Six Nations debuts after being added to the bench.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has opted for a six-two split for his replacements, meaning Kyle Rowe drops out of the 23, and Jamie Dobie takes over from George Horne as scrum-half cover.
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"Jack played very well against Wales,” Townsend said of Dempsey. “I thought that was one of his best ever games for Scotland and [he] was just getting back to full fitness. He’s unfortunately not turned around in time for the weekend – he had a tight hamstring during the game and it just hasn’t cleared up in time for Saturday.
"Another player who was injured was Sam Skinner, who would have been in the mix for selection. But it’s a good opportunity for Ben Muncaster to come on the team, for Matt to start, and for Marshall to be involved in the Six Nations for the first time.
"Ben and Marshall – but Marshall in particular because he’s been with us the whole campaign – have shown in training and the opportunities they’ve had for Edinburgh in the fallow weeks that they’re ready for this opportunity.
"We’ve gone to a 6-2 split, which means that Jamie Dobie comes back in as cover for more than one position.”
Asked why he had decided to promote Gregor Brown to the starting 15, Townsend explained: "I think he’s done really well off the bench. I thought his energy brought at the weekend and his carrying was excellent. He came very close to scoring a try. He is very good in the line-out, really athletic, technically really strong. He’s shown for us but also for Glasgow that he can perform at the highest level in the second row position.
"It allows us to have someone who has got the skill and speed of a back-rower but the technical ability of a second-rower to bring that out from the start this week."
France, who have opted for a 7-1 bench, are favourites to win the game and regain the Six Nations title, and Townsend knows how tough it will be for his team to thwart home hopes. "It’s probably the biggest challenge right now in world rugby,” he said. “I think when you put all the factors together, the French team at home are always a huge challenge. The way they’re playing, even in their defeat they scored a lot of points and could have scored a number more at Twickenham.
“They’re playing a game of rugby that’s really producing points and scores. They’re physical, they’re bringing a fresh pack on at some stage in the second half and they’re going for the title. It’s a great game to go up against one of the best teams in the world at home.”
Scotland (versus France at Stade de France on Saturday @ 8pm GMT – live on BBC): B Kinghorn; D Graham, H Jones, T Jordan, D van der Merwe; F Russell, B White; P Schoeman, D Cherry, Z Fagerson, G Brown, G Gilchrist, J Ritchie, R Darge, M Fagerson. Subs: E Ashman, R Sutherland, W Hurd, J Gray, M Sykes, B Muncaster, J Dobie, S McDowall.
6N: France v Scotland: “If you’re not first, nothing else matters” – Jack Dempsey
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