Five selected for Triple Crown decider

10 Mar 2023

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named five Edinburgh Rugby players in his squad to face Ireland in this Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations Round 4 clash at BT Murrayfield (12 March, kick-off 3pm) – live on BBC One.

Pierre Schoeman (loosehead prop) and back-row Jamie Ritchie – who once again skippers the side – start in the Scotland pack as British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe continues on the wing.

Hamish Watson and Blair Kinghorn are both named among the replacements as Scotland go in search of a first Triple Crown since 1990.

Jonny Gray and Jack Dempsey are named in the starting XV in only two changes from the loss in Paris.

Gray, who will enter Scotland’s top ten most capped players in winning his 76^th, joins his brother Richie in an experienced second row with Grant Gilchrist unavailable through suspension.

No 8 Dempsey earns a first start of the championship as part of a back row reshuffle, with captain Ritchie moving to openside flanker and Matt Fagerson selected on the blindside.

Scotland’s front row again comprises hooker George Turner, who is joined by loosehead prop Schoeman and Zander Fagerson (tighthead), the same trio having lined up against Wales and France in previous matches.

For the fourth straight game, the starting back division remains unchanged, with Stuart Hogg at full-back, meanwhile Kyle Steyn and V der Merwe will line up on the wings.

Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones – the 2023 championship’s current leading try scorer – continue their centre partnership.

Ben White and Finn Russell are once more named at scrum-half and stand-off respectively.

Amongst the replacements, Scott Cummings is in line for his first involvement of this year’s Guinness Six Nations, with fellow forwards Fraser Brown, Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti and Watson also part of the matchday squad.

Ali Price, Kinghorn and Chris Harris complete the 23-player selection as Scotland go in search of what would be a first Triple Crown success in 33 years.

Scotland team to face Ireland at BT Murrayfield in the Guinness Six Nations
Sunday 12 March (kick-off 3pm) – live on BBC One

15. Stuart Hogg Vice-captain

14. Kyle Steyn
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu
11. Duhan van der Merwe

10. Finn Russell
9. Ben White

1. Pierre Schoeman
2. George Turner
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Richie Gray
5. Jonny Gray Vice-captain
6. Matt Fagerson
7. Jamie Ritchie Captain
8. Jack Dempsey

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Simon Berghan
19. Scott Cummings
20. Hamish Watson
21. Ali Price
22. Blair Kinghorn
23. Chris Harris