The return of Blair Kinghorn and Keir Steyn to the Scotland starting line-up against England in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday has provided a huge boost to a backline led by Finn Russell.
Full-back Kinghorn has missed their first two Championship games – a narrow victory in Wales and a controversial home defeat to France – with a knee injury – considering the 50-cap international Since Stuart Hogg retired.
In Kinghorn’s absence, head coach Gregor Townsend started with regular wing Kyle Rowe and then the unused Harry Patterson at No. 15. Patterson’s final boost in the France game came when Stein withdrew from the game the day after his wife gave birth. The now recovered Steyn will form a strong back three with his wingers Duhan van der Merwe and King Horn, which will pose a great threat to the visiting team.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones retain their center partnership, while co-captain Russell joins scrum-half Ben White.
Former captain Jamie Ritchie returns to the starting XV, with one substitution up forward, this time on the blindside. He sat in the back row with Russell’s vice-captain Rory Dutch and number eight Jack Dempsey.
quick guide
Scotland will face England
exhibit
15 Blair Kinghorn
14 Keir Stein
13 Huw Jones
12 Joan Tupulotu
11 Duhan van der Merwe
10 Finn Russell
9 Ben white
1 Pierre Schoeman
2 George Turner
3 Jander Fagerson
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Scott Cummings
6 Jamie Rich
7 Rory Dalkey
8 Jack Dempsey
Substitutes: 16 Ivan Ashman, number 17 alec hepburn, 18 Elliot Miller-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, twenty one George Horn, twenty two Ben Healy, twenty three Cameron Redpath
Hooker George Turner was flanked by Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson, while Grant Gilchrist and S Scott Cummings takes up the second row as Scotland seek their fourth consecutive victory over England.
