Scotland name team for Wales Test

Scotland have named their team to take on Wales in the Doddie Weir Cup at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gregor Townsend’s side will be looking to avenge their 34-7 defeat to the Welsh at the same venue on the opening day of this year’s 6 Nations.

The game falls outside the international window so Racing 92’s Finn Russell and Clermont Auvergne’s Greig Laidlaw were among those unavailable.

Adam Hastings steps up at outhalf after impressing for Glasgow so far this season. Ali Price partners him at halfback.

Hooker Stuart McInally captains the side. Long term injuries to Zander Fagerson and Stuart Hogg also ruled them out. Hogg’s replacement at full-back is Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn, a man hotly tipped to slot in after fine form with his club.

BREAKING | Scotland team named to face Wales this Saturday in Cardiff for the Doddie Weir Cup! ??????? ? ???????

? Stuart McInally returns as captain
4?? starters v Argentina in the Summer Test win return
9?? return to the fold from injury or a scheduled summer of rest#AsOne pic.twitter.com/k3hwoabEWW

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 31, 2018

Four players who missed Scotland’s summer tour return, they are Jonny Gray (lock) Willem Nel (prop), Hamish Watson and Ryan Wilson (back-row).

Edinburgh back Darcy Graham earns his first appearance in a Scotland match-day 23 and could make his debut if called upon from the bench.

Townsend added: “We’ve had a productive two weeks, both in St Andrews and Edinburgh, and the players have worked hard to put our game into place.

”As always we expect a very tough Test match against Wales in Cardiff – a contest that will be physically and technically demanding in a noisy arena. It’s a challenge we look forward to facing.”

The build-up to the game has been overshadowed by the initial reluctance of either union to donate any of the proceeds from the fixture to Doddie Weir’s charity, despite the sides competing for a trophy in his name.

On Monday they finally relented: “The unions together have committed to donating a joint six-figure sum from the proceeds of the game,” they said.

In a joint statement a WRU spokesperson added: “We have listened to supporters and, whilst our initial motivation in supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was to help raise awareness for the fight against MND and the foundation’s fundraising campaign, we have decided to make a direct donation.”

? | Preparations continue in @Scotlandteam training camp ahead of the Autumn Tests kicking off this weekend.#AsOne pic.twitter.com/k5pE5sWWKp

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 30, 2018

While the SRU said: “We have listened to the feedback from the rugby family in relation to extending our support around the autumn Test match in Cardiff and have partnered with the WRU in a commitment to guarantee the foundation receives a six-figure donation. We are happy to provide a further level of support to Doddie and his foundation through this initiative and to mirror the generosity of fans.”

After naming his team Townsend also led plaudits to Weir: “Doddie’s a great man who’s been inspirational in his fight against MND and it’s fantastic that we’re able to pay tribute to him and his achievements with this match.

“This Saturday the best way we, as a team, can pay tribute to him will be through our performance, delivering one in keeping with the occasion and that puts us in a position to make Doddie proud.

“There is an extra incentive that we are playing for a trophy in the shape of the Doddie Weir Cup.”

Scotland team to face Wales:
15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 5 caps

14. Tommy Seymour VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 43 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
12. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps
11. Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps

10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps

1. Allan Dell (Edinburgh) – 13 caps
2. Stuart McInally CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 22 caps
4. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 12 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 43 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 2 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 20 caps
8. Ryan Wilson VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps

Substitutes

16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps
17. Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
19. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 25 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 2 caps
22. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
23. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – uncapped

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