Finn Russell starts as Scotland change three for Calcutta Cup clash

Finn Russell has been passed fit to play as Scotland attempt to win five consecutive games against England for the first time in the 154-year history of the fixture.

Russell clashed heads with teammate Darcy Graham in the early stages of the 32-18 home defeat to Ireland in round two, and while he has been declared fit to play, after passing the necessary concussion protocols, the winger misses out.

Kyle Rowe comes in for Graham on the right wing, Pierre Schoeman has been restored to the starting 15 with Rory Sutherland selected as a replacement, and former captain Jamie Ritchie is selected to start in the back row in place of Matt Fagerson.

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Dive deeper into the oldest rivalry in international rugby, the Calcutta Cup between England and Scotland. Watch on RugbyPass TV now

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Rowe, capped 10 times for Scotland, made his debut in 2022 against Argentina and played in four out of five of last year’s Guinness Six Nations matches, including starts at full-back in the first two rounds. The 27-year-old’s only previous Test start on the wing was against Uruguay in the summer.

In the back three, accompanying Rowe, is the familiar sight of Blair Kinghorn at full-back and Duhan van der Merwe on the wing.

Glasgow Warriors duo, Huw Jones and Tom Jordan resume their centre partnership with Ben White and Russell teaming up again at half-back.

In the forwards, Zander Fagerson will accompany Schoeman in the front row along with Dave Cherry, who makes his third start in a row. Cherry, who will make his 14th appearance for Scotland, debuted against England in the 2021 victory at the Allianz Stadium, Scotland’s first there over England in 38 years.

Other than Ritchie swapping jerseys with Fagerson, who drops to the bench, the rest of the forward pack is unchanged from the Ireland defeat in round two.

Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray pair up again in the second row, with the latter set to make an 80th appearance for Scotland. Blindside flanker Ritchie is joined by co-captain Rory Darge at openside and No8 Jack Dempsey in the back row.

SCOTLAND team v England (caps in brackets):

15. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (57)
14. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (10)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (55)
12. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (5)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (84)
9. Ben White – Toulon (26)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (39)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (13)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (72)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (79)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (77)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (56)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (27)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (24)

Replacements:

16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (24)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (39)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (6)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (36)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (6)
21. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (52)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (10)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (10)