Scotland hopefuls in last-chance saloon
Gregor Townsend has reacted to Scotland’s crushing 32-3 defeat by France by making 14 changes for the return World Cup warm-up fixture at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Full-back Stuart Hogg is the only player who retains his place in the XV as Scotland’s head coach has drafted in a hard core of experience.
Half-backs Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell both return, as do experienced wings Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland, and centre Peter Horne. Up front, props Gordon Reid and WP Nel add firepower, while back-row veterans Hamish Watson and Ryan Wilson bring a willingness to confront a French back row which ran riot in Nice.
However, there are two conspicuous exceptions to the emphasis on experience. Second row Scott Cummings is selected for his first Murrayfield start after impressing in his debut off the bench in Nice, while former Highlander Blade Thomson makes his debut at No 8. Outside centre Chris Harris, hooker George Turner and second row Sam Skinner complete a quintet of less experienced Test players who start.
Townsend has made it clear to his players that this is their last chance to play their way into the 31-man World Cup squad, which is announced in 10 days, shortly after next week’s game in Georgia.
“It could be the last game for some players because we only have one game left,” Townsend said. “We are not going to Georgia with the aim of seeing who can still play their way in. We will look at what they have done against France and what they have done before in a Scotland jersey and in training.”
Townsend conceded that some players have had their last chance to press their claim for Japan. He did, however, exclude the injured Fraser Brown, Sam Johnson, Magnus Bradbury and Jonny Gray, who will all play against Georgia if fit.
Scotland (v France, at Murrayfield, Saturday 1.10pm): S Hogg (Exeter); T Seymour (Glasgow), C Harris (Gloucester), P Horne (Glasgow), S Maitland (Saracens); F Russell (Racing 92), G Laidlaw (Clermont, capt); G Reid (Ayrshire Bulls), G Turner (Glasgow), WP Nel (Edinburgh), S Cummings (Glasgow), S Skinner (Exeter), R Wilson (Glasgow), H Watson (Edinburgh), B Thomson (Scarlets).
Replacements G Stewart (Glasgow), A Dell (London Irish), S Berghan (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), J Barclay (Edinburgh), G Horne (Glasgow), R Hutchinson (Northampton), B Kinghorn (Edinburgh).