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Gregor Townsend discusses the attitude of his returning Lions duo
By PA
Gregor Townsend expects Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe to be fuelled by “huge determination” against Wales after they were restored to Scotland’s starting XV for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash in Cardiff.
The British and Irish Lions duo were high-profile omissions from the 23 for the first two championship matches against Italy and England amid question marks about their form.
Toulouse back Kinghorn will start at full-back in place of Tom Jordan, who drops to the bench, while Van der Merwe, Scotland’s record try-scorer, returns at wing to take over from Jamie Dobie, who is out due to injury.
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“Blair was back playing on Sunday night for Toulouse so it’s good to get an outlet when you’ve not been selected,” said head coach Townsend after naming his squad to face Wales.
“He played really well in that game and he’s recovered quickly after that evening game. Duhan’s trained really well and very much been part of our squad, so there’ll be a freshness around both of them coming back in and huge determination to play well.
“Like any player, you want to be part of the squad and for those players that have been in our squad for a few years, it’ll be tough for them to take.
“But they’ve backed the team and they understand the reasons why we had different selections going into our opening two games. And now they have an opportunity to represent their country again.”
There are three further changes to the Scotland XV that started the 31-20 victory over England last weekend – all of them in the pack.
Dave Cherry replaces George Turner at hooker, with the latter dropping to the bench.
Back-rowers Jamie Ritchie and Jack Dempsey miss out through injury, with Matt Fagerson coming in at number eight and the versatile Gregor Brown, who started in the second row last weekend, moving to blindside flanker. Glasgow lock Max Williamson comes in to take Brown’s place in the second row.
Scotland, who have been training in Spain this week, are hot favourites to defeat an ailing Wales side who have lost heavily to France and England in their opening two matches.
“I’m sure last week a lot of people thought England were clear favourites (against Scotland), so the game is not about predictions and previous form,” said Townsend.
“It’s a lot about what you do in those 80 minutes, and we’ve got to make sure that we get our game out.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy spent more than five years as Townsend’s defence coach before leaving to take charge of his home nation last autumn.
“It’ll be great to see him after the game,” said Townsend. “We had a good catch-up at the (Six Nations) launch (in Edinburgh last month).
“We’ve been sharing messages, not many this week, but in the first couple of games. We think very fondly of Steve. He spent a long time with us, so he’s been a big influence on our players.
“He was a massive help to me as a coach, and I’m sure after the game, whatever the result, we can have a few beers in the changing room.”
Scotland team to face Wales: Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Finn Russell (Bath), Ben White (Toulon); Nathan McBeth (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Vannes), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Max Williamson (Glasgow), Scott Cummings (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow).
Replacements: George Turner (Harlequins), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), George Horne (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Bristol), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh).
