Boost for Scotland as Jamie Ritchie returns as captain for World Cup warm-up against France
Jamie Ritchie in action for Scotland during the Six Nations in 2023.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made six changes to his run-on side for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up rematch against France in Saint-Etienne, with Jamie Ritchie returning to captain the side.
The Edinburgh flanker is back in action after missing Scotland’s victory over Les Bleus at Murrayfield last weekend due to a calf strain.
Takes over the captaincy from Finn Russell
He is joined in the back-row by Rory Darge (openside flanker) and Jack Dempsey (number eight) and takes over the captaincy from Finn Russell, who continues at fly-half.
Elsewhere in the forwards, try-scorer against France at Murrayfield, Pierre Schoeman, retains his spot as the starting loosehead prop with WP Nel and George Turner coming into the run-on side at tighthead prop and hooker respectively.
Meanwhile, Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist continue as the starting locks to complete the set of forwards.
Ali Price returns to the starting line-up at scrum-half to partner Russell in the half-backs and the playmaker is listed as a vice-captain for Saturday along with Gilchrist.
Exciting centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will start as a midfield combination for Scotland for the seventh time this year.
In the back three, Kyle Steyn will start on the right wing, while Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn maintain their positions at left wing and full-back respectively.
Six/two split on replacements bench
The replacements bench allows for a six/two split this week as Townsend looks to maintain energy amongst the forwards. Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland, Javan Sebastian, Scott Cummings, Sam Skinner and Josh Bayliss are the back-up forwards, with George Horne and Ollie Smith selected as backline cover.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Richie Gray, 3 WP Nel, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Sam Skinner, 21 Josh Bayliss, 22 George Horne, 23 Ollie Smith
Date: Saturday, August 12
Venue: Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
Kick-off: 21:05 local (20:05 BST, 19:05 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (Wales)
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