News & Features International Scotland Men

Schoeman, Ashman and Gilchrist start to power Scotland pack

5 Feb 2026

Edinburgh Rugby will be well represented in the heart of the national side’s engine room as Gregor Townsend today named his squad to face Italy in Rome for the opening round of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.

In a testament to the strength of the capital’s tight five, Edinburgh players are set to power the Scottish pack at the Stadio Olimpico this Saturday.

Loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and hooker Ewan Ashman – who enters the championship as Scotland’s all-time leading male try-scoring forward – both start in the front row.

The vastly experienced Grant Gilchrist continues his presence in the second row to provide veteran leadership at set-piece.

The Edinburgh influence extends to the finishers, where the explosive Darcy Graham returns to the matchday 23.

Set to add a significant injection of x-factor from the bench, Graham provides a lethal attacking threat for the closing stages of the contest.

This contingent of capital stars will be looking to kickstart Scotland’s campaign with a victory against the Azzurri, with the action kicking off at 2:10pm this Saturday 7 February, live on BBC One.

Scotland team to face Italy in the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations at Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday 7 February 2026, kick-off 2.10pm – live on BBC One

15. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (12)

14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (28)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (58)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (33) – Captain
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (17)

10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (89) – Vice-Captain
9. Ben White – Toulon (31)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (44)
2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (32)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (76)
4. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (45)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (84)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (59)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (34) – Vice-Captain
8. Jack Dempsey -–Glasgow Warriors (29)

Replacements

16. George Turner – Harlequins (50)
17. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (5)
18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (11)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (9)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (12)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (40)
22. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (35)
23. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (50)