Stuart Hogg starts at flyhalf as Townsend rings the changes for Italy

March 18, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has made seven personnel changes to his starting XV for the Guinness Six Nations match against Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 20 March – kick off 2:15pm.

A new-look line-up sees Captain Stuart Hogg start his first Scotland match at fly-half, with his fellow half-back Harlequins scrum-half Scott Steele making his first start for his country. New combinations also start up front from the group who played against Ireland in the last round of the tournament.

Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry makes his first start for Scotland and packs down with club teammate Rory Sutherland and Glasgow Warriors’ returning Zander Fagerson. A new lock pairing sees Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist and Exeter Chief Sam Skinner come in for the injured duo of Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray, and it’s an unchanged back row of Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson.

Sean Maitland of Saracens starts at full back and is supported in the back three by Edinburgh wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van de Merwe. Huw Jones – who scored off the bench against Ireland – starts alongside Glasgow Warriors teammate Sam Johnson in the centres.

Gloucester lock Alex Craig is line for his Scotland debut from the replacements as he is called into the matchday 23 for the first time. Jamie Bhatti and Simon Berghan are joined by George Turner as front row cover, with Nick Haining among the forward options.

There is additional experience available in the backs selected with scrum-half Ali Price, Jaco van der Walt and Chris Harris and completing the squad.