Steyn replaces banned van der Merwe as Watson returns with Price set for 50th cap

ruckclear,”insistedtownsend.

“They followed the head contact process, but I think that is wrong in this situation. We shouldbeprotectingtheattacking player in a circumstance like that when he is up against someone trying to tackle him upright.”

Kyle Steyn will replace van der Merwe against Italy in Rome this weekend, one of five changes Townsend has made to his starting XV following the defeat by France.

“We’re disappointed for Duhan,” added the coach. “He’s very upset. But we’ll move on, and Kyle will go and grab his opportunity. But I have real questions about the game and what we’re trying to do here.”

Van der Merwe’s case was heard by an independent disciplinary panel which upheld hisredcardfor“recklessordangerousplay”.jeremysummers, chair of the panel, said: “The player had sufficient time and opportunity to have executed a lawful hand-off but failed to do so. The contact he then made to an opponent’s head was direct, at speed and involved a leading forearm all of which are factors pointing to high danger and a red card in the World Rugby Head Contact Process.”

The other Scotland changes for Italy see the return of Sam Johnson at inside centre in place of Sione Tuipulotu, hooker George Turner preferred to Stuart Mcinally, fit-again Matt Fagerson back at No 8 for Magnus Bradbury and Hamishwatsonrestoredtoopenside flankeraftermissingthefrance match due to Covid. Watson’s inclusionseesrorydargemove to six in place of the injured Nick Haining.

Tuipulotu,mcinallyandbradbury are on the bench with Allan Dell, Adam Hastings and the uncapped Ben Vellacott.

Ali Price will win his 50th cap at scrum-half as Scotland bid to reignite their campaign followingback-to-backlossestowales and France.

Italy have made two changes following the loss to Ireland as theyseektoavoida36thconsecutive defeat in the Six Nations.

Benetton scrum-half Callum Braley replaces Stephen Varney and Giacomo Nicotera has been handed an international debut, replacing injured hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi and back-up Hame Faiva, who was red-carded and banned for four weeks for a high tackle against Ireland.