Scotland have made bold selection calls for their Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome, leaving out Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham from the starting line-up. Head coach Gregor Townsend has opted for a fresh-looking back three as he looks to start the campaign with a strong away victory.
Shock Omissions Raise Eyebrows
Van der Merwe and Graham, Scotland’s top two try-scorers of all time, along with Lions full-back Kinghorn, are among the notable absentees. While Graham has been named on the bench, Van der Merwe and Kinghorn miss out entirely on the matchday squad.
New Look Back Three Selected
Townsend has handed Tom Jordan the full-back role, with Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the wings. Dobie is set to make his first Six Nations start, marking a major moment in his international career.
Midfield And Half-Back Stability
Despite the changes out wide, Scotland retain their trusted midfield pairing of Huw Jones and captain Sione Tuipulotu, who will play their 18th Test together. Finn Russell partners Ben White at half-back, keeping George Horne among the replacements.
Experience Anchors The Pack
In the forwards, Grant Gilchrist joins Scott Cummings in the second row, beating competition from younger challengers. Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form a balanced back row, while Ewan Ashman starts at hooker between Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson.
Bench Offers Attacking Options
Graham, Hastings and Horne provide attacking depth among the substitutes, alongside forward cover from Turner, McBeth, Millar-Mills, Williamson and Brown. Townsend will hope the bench can add impact late in the game.
Scotland Aim For Strong Start
Apart from the high-profile omissions, the rest of the squad follows a familiar pattern. With experienced leaders and emerging talent in key positions, Scotland will be targeting an important win to build early momentum in the Six Nations.
The match in Rome will test Townsend’s selection gamble, as Scotland look to balance bold choices with consistency in their push for championship success.
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