Townsend rings changes for showdown with Russia

GREGOR TOWNSEND has made 14 changes to the side that started against Samoa on Monday last week for tomorrow’s penultimate World Cup Pool A match against Russia.

The major reshuffle was widely expected given the lowly status of the opposition and the need for as many leading players to be kept fit and fresh for the team’s do-or-die clash against host nation Japan just four days later.

While Russia have exceeded expectations at this World Cup, earning widespread praise for their controlled physicality and shrewd kicking game, they remain minnows on the world stageandhaven’thadenoughfirepower to get within 20 points of their opponents in any of their three matches so far against Japan, Samoa and Ireland.

Scotland really need to get a bonuspoint win out of this match, and they should have enough ability and experience in this back-up squad – which includes seasoned campaigners such as John Barclay (as captain), Ryan Wilson, Peter Horne, Duncan Taylor and Tommy Seymour – to get the result.

Fraser Brown, who is usually a hooker, but came through the ranks as a flanker and played there during Scotland’s tour of the Americas last summer as well as off the bench against Ireland at the start of the tournament is named on the openside.

“The changes obviously help us make sure the forward pack that started at the weekend get a rest,” explained Townsend. “You have to be flexible with your squad and, fortunately, Fraser has played openside already in this World Cup. He played very well against Argentina just over a year ago and he is in excellent form. To have him on the field as well as George Turner enables us to rest others.”

There is also some exciting young talent in the side, including Glasgow Warriors’ free-wheeling half-back combination of George Horne and Adam Hastings, and Edinburgh backthree men Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham – who is the only player in the side retained from the last match (albeit switched from the right to left wing).

Allan Dell, who picked up a head knock early in the Samoa match, is not included in the squad, but has returned to full training after working his way through the return-to-play protocol.