SCOTLAND BOSS GREGOR Townsend has made two changes to his team for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium [KO 4.45pm, Virgin Media].
Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall comes into the number 12 shirt, while Ben White returns to the side at scrum-half. That means Cameron Redpath and George Horne, who started last weekend’s defeat to Italy, drop to the bench.
This will be McDowall’s Six Nations debut and just his second Test cap as the 26-year-old gets his chance in the number 12 shirt with key man Sione Tuipulotu absent due to injury.
Former Munster out-half Ben Healy has missed out on a spot in the matchday 23 for this trip to Dublin as the Scots look for a win that would see them claim the Triple Crown for the first time since 1990.
Ex-Ulster prop Rory Sutherland is set for his first appearance of the Six Nations off the bench.
Out-half Finn Russell and openside flanker Rory Darge co-captain the Scottish team again, while the Scots will look to left wing Duhan van der Merwe to do damage with ball in hand.
Scotland (v Ireland):
- 15. Blair Kinghorn
- 14. Kyle Steyn
- 13. Huw Jones
- 12. Stafford McDowall
- 11. Duhan van der Merwe
- 10. Finn Russell (co-captain)
- 9. Ben White
- 1. Pierre Schoeman
- 2. George Turner
- 3. Zander Fagerson
- 4. Grant Gilchrist
- 5. Scott Cummings
- 6. Andy Christie
- 7. Rory Darge (co-captain)
- 8. Jack Dempsey
Replacements:
- 16. Ewan Ashman
- 17. Rory Sutherland
- 18. Elliot Millar-Mills
- 19. Sam Skinner
- 20. Matt Fagerson
- 21. George Horne
- 22. Cameron Redpath
- 23. Kyle Rowe
Referee: Matthew Carley [RFU].
Where’s Ben 10?
Is Ben Healy injured? Surely a player of such calibre would make the 23? The greatest outhalf Ireland never had, I was told.
@Daniel O’Keeffe: Ironically the departure of said greatest out-half we never had has hastened the development of new greatest out-half we’ve ever had! A year or so ago he was third choice 10 at Munster and mainly playing at 12!
@Daniel O’Keeffe: Scotland are a decent rugby team. They have a 10 ( that’s another term for outhalf) that is pivotal to them and they rarely take him off unless injured. They have a 15 (aka fullback) that has played a lot at outhalf too and will cover it in the event of removal of 10. Rugby 201 concluded for today. Tomorrow I’ll explain why there are 23 in the squad for you
@Ciaran Kennedy: oh hello Ciaran. Nice to see you again. I really enjoyed our interaction where you lied about Munster producing second rows. What do you think about the Irish team? Just the 16 Leinster players in the 23, so I assume the reason the squad is 23 is to let other provinces have a look in?
I’m sorry that you picked my genuine concern for Ben Healy up incorrectly, I know how important it is for Munster fans to see their (former) players on the pitch. Did Frisch get home, ok btw?
Hopefully you’ll have sufficient manners to reply this time. Talk soon,
@Ciaran Kennedy: very succinct and straight to the point. Don’t bother reading the eejits who say otherwise.
@Brian Kernahan: Are you Cillian’s fluffier? If so could you ask him to respond to posts rather than ghosting me like I’d did to his sister? Thanks Brian, much appreciated.
@Daniel O’Keeffe: Ciaran’s even Christ, I have so little respect for him I cannot even remember his name. An awful faux pas on my part.
@Ciaran Kennedy: this must be how the Heineken Cuo final feels every year since 2008 when I expects Munster to be involved. See you next time I hurt your feelings. I reckon I’ll manage it before EOD Saturday, honey.
Both teams are vying for a trophy, hopefully it’s a cracker.
Finn anD duhan show
@Gary Galligan: pretty much
@Gary Galligan: You mean the self-styled “Messi” of rugby.
@Christiaan Theron: If you referring to Russel Ronaldo is a better comparison – both can be a bit temperamental!