New-look Scotland pack as skipper McInally returns
England give Cipriani 1st start
RESISTENCIA, Argentina, June 21, (AFP): Scotland have changed seven of their eight forwards and switched the position of the other for a one-off Test against Argentina in Resistencia Saturday.
The match will also see a first tour start for skipper and hooker Stuart McInally after an injury ruled him out of a big win in Canada and a shock loss to the United States.
Tim Swinson is the lone forward to survive a cull after the 30-29 defeat in Houston, but he is moved from tighthead prop to lock.
The new front row comprises loosehead Allan Dell, McInally and Simon Berghan with Swinson partnering Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
Loose forwards Fraser Brown and Magnus Bradbury and number eight David Denton form a new back row.
Coach Gregor Townsend resisted wholesale changes in the backline, however, making only one with winger Dougie Fife replacing Byron McGuigan.
While eight starting changes in unusually high for a Test team, coach Gregor Townsend said it was vital to give all his squad game time during the three-match Americas tour.
Meanwhile, fly-half Danny Cipriani will make his first start for England since 2008 when they play a dead-rubber Test against South Africa in Cape Town Saturday.
“We are expecting a wet and windy day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option,” explained coach Eddie Jones.
His inclusion in place of Ford is one of four changes — three enforced — from the team that lost the second Test and the series in Bloemfontein last weekend.
Loosehead prop Joe Marler replaces Mako Vunipola, who returned home last weekend for family reasons.
Number eight Billy Vunipola, Mako’s brother, was ruled out of the Cape Town finale by injury, and Nathan Hughes comes in.
Illness forced at change at loose forward with Brad Shields sidelined and Chris Robshaw recalled just one week after being dropped for the first time by Australia-born Jones.
There are three chances to the bench with prop Alex Hepburn, lock Jonny Hill and loose forward Sam Simmonds promoted in a 6-2 forwards/backs split.
Jones said: “We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions.