Rory Darge and Grant Gilchrist return to international duty on Saturday, as Scotland host France in the second round of the 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Darge will lead the team alongside co-captain Finn Russell, in what will probably be one leading by example and one trying to sweet-talk referee Nic Berry.
The backline is largely unchanged but there is a fair bit of shuffling in the back five of the pack. Gilchrist partners Scott Cummings in the second row, with Matt Fagerson shifting to blindside flanker and Jack Dempsey at number 8 to complete a back row completed by openside flanker Darge. Saracens’ in-form Andy Christie comes onto the bench with Jamie Ritchie omitted from the 23 altogether.
Christie is poised for his first Guinness Men’s Six Nations action since facing the same opposition in 2022.
Scotland are bidding for back-to-back opening wins for a second year in a row, having never previously achieved it in the Six Nations. France have rarely lost two in a row, and something will have to give on Saturday afternoon.
Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (capt), Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Alec Hepburn, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Andy Christie, George Horne, Ben Healy, Cameron Redpath.
France: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Cyril Baille, Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Cameron Woki, Paul Gabrillagues, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Dorian Aldegheri, Posolo Tuilagi, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Yoram Moefana.
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