Nine Edinburgh players selected for French Test

21 Feb 2019

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has selected nine Edinburgh players – including last Friday’s man-of-the match Magnus Bradbury – in this Saturday’s third round Guinness Six Nations Test in Paris (kick-off 2.15pm GMT) – live on BBC.

The reselection of Allan Dell and Stuart McInally alongside Berghan means an all-Edinburgh front-row will take to the field once more.

Back-row Magnus Bradbury is the only change to the pack – after a timely, man-of the-match-winning return from injury last weekend against the Dragons – to start in place of the injured Ryan Wilson (knee).

Grant Gilchrist is named in the second-row, while back-row Jamie Ritchie continues in the number seven shirt.

Blair Kinghorn replaces the injured Stuart Hogg (shoulder) to earn his third Test start in the full-back role he occupies week in, week out for Edinburgh.

Darcy Graham could potentially make his Six Nations debut this weekend as he is joins Ben Toolis on the bench.

Scotland Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, said: “Injuries create opportunities for others to show what they can do and, throughout the past couple of seasons, we’ve seen a number of players really step up. 

“All of the players coming in started against Argentina in the summer, which ranks as one of our best ever away performances. 

“On top of that there is cohesion forged through familiarity at club level – Magnus [Bradbury] in the back-row lines up with clubmate Jamie Ritchie, and Pete Horne and Nick Grigg are either side of Sam Johnson in the backs.”

The three remaining changes come in the back division, where Glasgow Warriors playmaker Pete Horne – also in man-of-the-match winning form in the Guinness PRO14 last weekend – starts at stand-off in place of Finn Russell, who has a head injury. 

Glasgow Warriors centre Nick Grigg comes into the midfield for injured clubmate Huw Jones (knee).

Looking ahead to Saturday’s Test, Townsend added: “Like France, we too are coming off the back of a defeat and want to show a better picture of ourselves and play closer to our potential.  

“The players invested a huge amount of effort against Ireland and this energy will be essential once again this weekend.”

To see the Scotland team to play France in Paris in round three of the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday 23 February (kick-off 2.15pm GMT) – live on BBC  , CLICK HERE