(Reuters) – Scotland have announced six changes to their lineup for the upcoming re-match against France in the Rugby World Cup warm-up game. Scotland emerged victorious in their previous encounter against a second-string France team, and now they are striving for a second win over the formidable World Cup hosts for a boost in morale.
Leading the side in Saint Etienne will be flanker Jamie Ritchie, who returns to the team. Ritchie forms part of the back row of the scrum alongside Rory Darge and number eight Jack Dempsey. The lock pairing features Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist.
At hooker, George Turner has been chosen to start alongside South African-born props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel. Finn Russell will take on the role of flyhalf, with Ali Price as the preferred scrumhalf. The midfield includes Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, who will be starting together for the seventh time in 2023.
Blair Kinghorn will be at fullback, and the wings will be occupied by two South African-born players, Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn.
Coach Gregor Townsend has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, with scrumhalf George Horne and the versatile Ollie Smith being the two back options.
The Scotland team for the match is as follows: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. WP Nel, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie (captain), 7. Rory Darge, 8. Jack Dempsey.
The replacements are: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Sam Skinner, 21. Josh Bayliss, 22. George Horne, 23. Ollie Smith.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Credit: The Star : Sport Feed
