Finn Russell and Rory Darge have been named co-captains ahead of the Six Nations Tournament in a Scotland team deprived of injury to Darcy Graham, replaced by novice winger Ross McCann from rugby sevens, it has been announced Sunday the federation.
The coach Gregor Townsend therefore decided to share the armband between the experienced fly-half Finn Russell (75 caps) and the young third wing line Rory Darge (15 caps), after a fatal weekend of reflection for Jamie Ritchie, captain since 2022.
“Toony” first wanted to see if Ritchie (46 selections) had found optimal form during his return from injury, Friday with Edinburgh. He came on as a substitute during the Challenge Cup victory against the Scarlets.
Darge (23), Glasgow Warriors player, already wore the armband in July against Italy (25-13). Russell (31), opener for Bath in England, was entitled to this honor in August against France (25-21) also as part of preparation for the 2023 World Cup.
Both players “bring different strengths and leadership styles,” Townsend said, “sure they will thrive in this responsibility.” As for Ritchie, “he will continue to be one of the main leaders of our group,” he commented. “He now has the opportunity to focus more on his game and play his best rugby over the coming weeks.”
The coach was also forced to do without the services of Darcy Graham, unavailable “at least for the first two matches” of the Tournament due to a quadriceps (thigh) injury, specifies the press release from the Scottish federation.
The Edinburgh player is replaced by his club teammate McCann, a 26-year-old winger never called up before. He is an international rugby sevens player with Scotland. The Scots will travel to Cardiff on Saturday February 3 to challenge Wales on the first day of the Tournament.
Scotland squad for the Six Nations Tournament:
Forwards (21): Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath/ENG), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Andy Christie (Saracens), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs/ENG), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers/ENG), Johnny Matthews ( Glasgow), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow), Glen Young (Edinburgh).
Backs (18): Adam Hastings (Gloucester/ENG), Ben Healy (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton/ENG), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/FRA), Ross McCann ( Edinburgh), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Harry Paterson (Edinburgh), Ali Price (Edinburgh), Cameron Redpath (Bath/ENG), Arron Reed (Sale/ENG), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath/ENG) , Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon/FRA).
