Sykes and Muncaster set for first Six Nations appearances

The duo are two of nine Edinburgh players selected for the clash at Stade de France as Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe all continue in the starting line-up, with Ewan Ashman once again selected on the bench.

Gregor Townsend has made two changes to the starting line-up ahead of what is set to be a thrilling end to the championship.

Under the lights at the Stade de France in the final game of the tournament, Gregor Brown will start in place of Jonny Gray. Matt Fagerson will replace Jack Dempsey who is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Brown will make his ninth appearance for Scotland after making his debut in the summer against Canada.

The backline is unchanged from Saturday’s victory over Wales. Player of the Match Blair Kinghorn retains his berth at full-back having started all matches in the championship so far, as he looks set to take on some of his Toulouse teammates this weekend.

Tom Jordan, who scored his first Scotland tries with a double at the weekend, starts in the centre alongside Huw Jones.

Darcy Graham, also a try scorer against Wales, retains his place on one wing with Duhan van der Merwe on the other.

Co-captain Finn Russell and Ben White line up as the familiar half-back pairing.

The forwards are made up of players from Scottish clubs with four Edinburgh players in the shape of loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman, hooker Dave Cherry, second row Grant Gilchrist – who will win an 80^th Scotland cap – and Jamie Ritchie at blindside flanker.

Second row Brown is joined by Glasgow Warriors clubmates Zander Fagerson at tighthead, as well as co-captain and openside flanker Rory Darge, with Matt Fagerson at number eight.

It is set to be a special night for Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster. The two Edinburgh players have both picked up their first caps in Autumn internationals but are in line to play in their first Six Nations game on Saturday.

A 6-2 split will be in operation on the bench with Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, and Stafford McDowall retaining their places following the Wales game.

Jonny Gray drops to the bench and is named alongside Jamie Dobie.

France v Scotland, Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Saturday 15 March 2025, kick-off 8pm (UK time), Stade de France, live on ITV

15. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (59)

14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (45)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (57)
12. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (7)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (48)

10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (86)
9. Ben White – Toulon (28)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (41)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (15)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (74)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (8)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (79)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (58)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (29)
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (54)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (26)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (40)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (8)
19. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (81)
20. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (1 cap)
21. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (1)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (11)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (12)