Scotland will be without Darcy Graham for the visit of world champions South Africa to Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Sunday, but do welcome back some star names.
Having had to sit out the 57-17 win over Fiji last weekend, the likes of Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn and Ben White are among more than 10 players who could feature against the Springboks. They were unavailable for the Autumn Nations Series opener as it fell outside the international window.
Read more:
- Townsend urges Scotland players to relish facing Springboks
- Facing Springboks a 'big moment', admits Scott Cummings
- Duane Vermeulen: Mindset the key to Springboks' success
-
Springboks star takes aim at Scotland's South African-born players
After his four-try heroics against the Fijians, Graham has been ruled out of the match after failing to pass head injury protocols, while Kyle Rowe remains a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Our writers have once again put themselves in Gregor Townsend's shoes and picked their teams for Sunday's game.
Gavin Harper
Finn Russell will undoubtedly come back into the team, despite a good showing by Adam Hastings against Fiji, and Blair Kinghorn has been a stand-out performer for Toulouse over the past 12 months and must start at fullback.
Townsend must resist the urge to move Kinghorn to the wing, where he has played a lot for Scotland in the past, and for his club this season, even if Rowe is absent this weekend.
Arron Reed and Jamie Dobie, who would be my pick, are good alternatives. Including Dobie on the wing could open up the options on the bench.
Ben White should also return at scrum-half. His experience of playing in the Top 14, a hugely physical league, could prove handy, while he offers the perfect blend of an excellent kicking game combined with a running threat.
Up front, Ewan Ashman had a difficult day against Fiji and Dylan Richardson was impactful off the bench. With a point to prove perhaps to his fellow countrymen, The Sharks man gets the nod. Otherwise, it's much of the same after a solid outing last weekend.
My Scotland XV: Blair Kinghorn, Jamie Dobie, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dylan Richardson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, D'Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, Jamie Ritchie, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall
Rob Robertson
Kinghorn and Russell must return, while if Kyle Rowe can prove his fitness he should get a place on the wing after scoring his first try at Murrayfield against Fiji.
Ben White should come back at scrum-half, while up front it's more of the same for the pack that started last weekend.
The only changes on the bench could see Jamie Ritchie, who was Scotland captain at the World Cup last year, back into the squad alongside Jamie Dobie.
My Scotland XV: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland, D'Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan, Stafford McDowall
Euan Booth Robertson
Kinghorn, Russell and White all return here too, while Richardson gets his reward for a busy cameo off the bench against Fiji with a starting role against the world champions.
Tom Jordan keeps his place on the bench after an encouraging debut, while Jamie Dobie offers cover at both scrum-half and on the wing on a 6/2 bench.
My Scotland team: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dylan Richardson, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, D'Arcy Rae, Max Williamson, Jamie Ritchie, Ben Muncaster, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan
Last Updated:
Report this comment Cancel