Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Four changes for Scotland as they seek to deny France a Six Nations title win

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by PA)

Scotland have made four changes to their team to play France on Friday in Paris in the Guinness Six Nations re-fixture that will decide whether the French or Wales are crowned 2021 champions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Following their 52-10 Murrayfield win over Italy last Saturday, Scotland, who can clinch a rare second-place finish with a Stade de France victory, have changed a few things up for a match that was postponed on its original February 28 date.

With Finn Russell back available following his HIA versus Ireland, he returns at No10 with Stuart Hogg reverting to full-back in place of Sean Maitland who has gone back to Saracens due to the player release deal with the English clubs allowing the Scots just five picks this weekend.

Video Spacer

All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick talks about Eddie Jones’ struggling England team

Video Spacer

All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick talks about Eddie Jones’ struggling England team

Chris Harris takes over at outside centre from Huw Jones, Ali Price is back at scrum-half for Scott Steele while the sole XV change in the pack sees George Turner retake the hooker slot from David Cherry. Fit-again Adam Hastings is on the bench.

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend said: “The match against France provides us with an opportunity to finish the Six Nations in our highest position in its history. This is a great opportunity for us to take on France, at home in Paris, as they also look to end the championship on a high.

“Both teams have needed to manage a short six-day turnaround and we have used this week to regroup and focus on putting in our best performance of the competition so far, which we will need to deliver if we are to leave Paris with a victory.

“As a group, we have faced several challenges throughout this Six Nations, it has brought us closer together, and I know the players are motivated and looking forward to representing their country again on Friday night.”

ADVERTISEMENT

France have made five changes to their XV. Romain Ntamack and Arthur Vincent come into their backline for Mathieu Jalibert and Teddy Thomas while Swan Rebbadj, Bernard Le Roux and Anthony Jelonch all start in the pack.

SCOTLAND (vs France, Friday)
15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) 84 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 27 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 9 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 54 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 11 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 44 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)  – 26 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 40 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
Substitutes
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 30 caps
19. Alex Craig (Gloucester) – 1 cap
20. Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 4 caps
22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 30 caps

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 43 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

27 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out Storm clouds gather over Biarritz with owner poised to bail out
Search