Ritchie returns for Calcutta Cup showdown

• 22 Feb 2024
• News

Edinburgh Rugby centurion Jamie Ritchie returns as one of three changes to Scotland’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations clash with England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn and Ritchie are all restored to the team after missing out against France in round two with Kinghorn making his first appearance of the championship having previously been ruled out through injury.

Winger Steyn was a late absentee against France on account of his wife going into labour, with blindside flanker Ritchie returning to the back row having started the opening weekend win over Wales in Cardiff.

Full-back Kinghorn and Steyn join winger Duhan van der Merwe in the back three for the Calcutta Cup encounter, as Sione Tuipulotu – named a vice-captain – and Huw Jones once more occupy the centre berths.

Co-captain Finn Russell partners Ben White, who scored the opening try last time out, at half-back.

Ritchie’s return complements a back row also containing co-captain Rory Darge at openside flanker and No 8 Jack Dempsey.

The forward pack’s front five is unchanged as Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings form the second row pairing, behind a front row comprising Pierre Schoeman at loosehead prop, hooker George Turner and Zander Fagerson at tighthead.

The replacement options remain the same for the second game in succession, with scrum-half George Horne, stand-off Ben Healy and centre Cameron Redpath covering the back division.

Ewan Ashman (hooker), Alec Hepburn (loosehead prop) and Elliot Millar-Mills (tighthead) are joined by Sam Skinner and Andy Christie, who will cover the rest of the forward pack.

Scotland team to face England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations on Saturday 24 February, kick-off 4.45pm – live on BBC (caps in brackets):

15. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (50)

14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (16)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (45)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Vice-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (24)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (36)

10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (77)
9. Ben White – Toulon (20)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (28)
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (42)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (64)
4. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (69)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (35)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (47)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (16)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (17)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (14)
17. Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (2)
18. Elliot Millar-Mills – Northampton Saints (1)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (32)
20. Andy Christie – Saracens (5)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (27)
22. Ben Healy – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
23. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (11)