Rugby-Russell leads Scotland against Wales as Darge misses out

(Reuters) – Scotland’s flyhalf Finn Russell is set to lead the team in their opening Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday, stepping in for co-captain Rory Darge who is out due to injury. Darge is expected to return for their match against France on Feb 10.

Russell will partner with number nine Ben White as the half-back pairing, and Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will feature in the midfield. The back three will consist of Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn as wings, with Kyle Rowe at fullback. Rowe will be taking over from Blair Kinghorn who is sidelined due to a knee injury sustained while playing for Toulouse.

Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend commented on Kinghorn’s injury, “Blair played on Sunday for Toulouse and picked up a knee injury,” and further added, “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 will see hooker George Turner, with props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson. The replacements will include potential prop debuts for Alec Hepburn and Elliot Millar-Mills. Richie Gray and Scott Cummings will form the lock pairing, with former captain Jamie Ritchie and Luke Crosbie at flanker, and Matt Fagerson at number eight.

Townsend mentioned, “Rory is in from the final stages of his rehab, this game came too soon for him but he will be back next week,” and added, “We have gone for experienced players that have played together and that we believe are in form.”

Scotland is anticipating a tough encounter against Wales, as Townsend expressed, “There will be physicality, Wales always play with passion, target the ruck area in attack and defence. We expect to be tested there.”

Scotland will be looking for their first win in Cardiff since 2002, although they did secure 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.

(Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Toby Davis)