Kinghorn return bolsters Scotland

Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn and wing Kyle Steyn return to the starting line-up to face England in the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield on Saturday, providing a boost to a backline marshalled by mercurial flyhalf Finn Russell.

Kinghorn missed the Scots’ first two championship games — a narrow win in Wales and a home loss to France — with a knee injury, forcing coach Gregor Townsend to play regular wing Kyle Rowe and uncapped Harry Paterson at No 15.

After the retirement of Stuart Hogg in 2023, Kinghorn, who has 50 caps, has been a standout performer for the Scots and the experience of the Toulouse back is a big boost for Townsend.

Steyn pulled out of the match against France on the day after his wife went into labour, and will partner fellow SA-born wing Duhan van der Merwe and Kinghorn in a potent back three that will provide plenty of threat to the visitors. Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones retain their centre partnership, while co-captain Russell is alongside scrumhalf Ben White, who has been in outstanding form.

There is one switch in the forwards as former skipper Jamie Ritchie returns to the side of the scrum. He forms the back row with co-captain Rory Darge and No 8 Jack Dempsey.

“Jamie has been a very good player for us, he has responded really well to not being in the team,”

Townsend said. “We feel the breakdown will be an important area for the outcome of the match and to have Jamie and Rory putting pressure on England and providing us go-forward with ball in hand.”

Hooker George Turner packs down with props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson either side of him, while Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings make up the second row as Scotland seek a fourth successive victory over their old foes in the championship for the first time since 1996.