Scotland Rugby News Gregor Townsend named his Scotland team to take on Ireland in Round 4 of the NatWest 6 Nations at Aviva Stadium this Saturday.
It includes one change to the starting team that famously beat England almost a fortnight ago, and two to the bench. Injured Glasgow winger Tommy Seymour is replaced by Edinburgh back Blair Kinghorn, who will be making his first start in the blue of Scotland having come on as a replacement against Eddie Jones’ men.
Blair Kinghorn of Scotland during the NatWest Six Nations…
Blair Kinghorn of Scotland during the NatWest Six Nations Championship between Scotland and England at Murrayfield on February 24, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Blair Kinghorn Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
The massive 6’5 Edinburgh native, whose usual position is fullback, will likely be lining up opposite fellow 21 year old Jacob Stockdale. Kinghorn will certainly have his hands full because, what the Irishman gives up in height, he more than makes up for in scoring ability having crossed the whitewash 8 times in just 7 games for Ireland.
The only other changes come on the bench with Warrior clubmates Lee Jones and Glasgow’s Fraser Brown recovering from head knocks. They replace Kinghorn and Scott Lawson respectively.
It may come a surprise to many that some of the talismans returning from injury and suspension (Richie Gray, Alex Dunbar, Zander Fagerson and John Hardie) haven’t been included, but it seems that Townsend would rather reward the team that overturned the Champions than pick on reputation.
That desire for consistency, something Scotland have had precious little of, has been reflected in the approach to the game.
Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “Our players had prepared very well for the challenge of taking on England and there has been a similar focus and commitment this week at training.
“There are a few areas of our game that we are working to improve and we are aware that we will have to be better if we are to beat a very good Ireland side in Dublin.”
And, whilst much has been made of Scotland’s away form, they should arrive with confidence and belief having overturned Joe Schmidt’s side in the corresponding fixtures last year.
WATCH: Highlight of Scotland’s last win over Ireland here
But, when you consider that Ireland have not been beaten at home in the 6 Nations since Joe Schmidt became their coach in 2013, it’s clear Scotland will have their work cut out to repeat that feat.
SCOTLAND TEAM TO FACE IRELAND AT THE AVIVA STADIUM
(SATURDAY 14:15 KO Live on ITV / STV)
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 58 caps
14. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
12. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 31 caps
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 32 caps
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
9. Greig Laidlaw VICE CAPTAIN (Clermont Auvergne) – 61 caps
1. Gordon Reid (London Irish) – 30 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
3. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps
4. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 21 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps
6. John Barclay CAPTAIN (Scarlets) – 69 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 18 caps
8. Ryan Wilson VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
Substitutes
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 20 caps
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps
20. David Denton (Worcester Warriors) – 37 caps
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 14 caps
22. Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps
23. Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
