Gregor Townsend, the coach of Scotland, revealed this Wednesday his team composition for the first of two preparation matches against France, which will take place on Saturday at Murrayfield (4:15 p.m.). While Fabien Galthié should give a chance to the liners who are aiming for a place in the final group of 33 for the World Cup, the XV du Chardon will align his big team with his executives (Watson, R. Gray, Fagerson, Van der Merwe, Tuipulotu ).
Note that for this first match, it is the opener Finn Russell, who left Racing 92 for Bath, who will be the captain of the Scots, now deprived of their emblematic rear Stuart Hogg, who announced his retirement from sport in early July. . Russell and Townsend have had a rocky relationship in recent years, with the fly-half even being dropped from the squad due to behavioral issues.
In the end, Townsend made 13 changes from the team that won against Italy (25-13) last weekend. Only Darcy Graham, who scored two tries against the Nazionale, and Matt Fagerson retain their place, even if the latter is replaced as flanker. At the rear, Duhan van der Merwe is established on the wing, Blair Kinghorn at the back and the pair of centers Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu, who shone at the last Six Nations Tournament this season, are back in the Starting XV.
15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell (cap.), 9. Ben White, 8. Jack Dempsey, 7. Hamish Watson , 6-Matt Fagerson, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Richie Gray, 3-Zander Fagerson, 2-Ewan Ashman, 1-Pierre Schoeman
Remplaçants : 16-Dave Cherry, 17-Jamie Bhatti, 18-WP Nel, 19-Scott Cummings, 20-Rory Darge, 21-George Horne, 22-Cameron Redpath, 23-Ollie Smith
