Scotland: Grant Gilchrist hits 50 against Wales in Six Nations, Sione Tuipulotu handed start

Gregor Townsend has named his squad to face Wales on Saturday in Cardiff in the second round of the Six Nations, where Grant Gilchrist will make his 50th appearance for Scotland.

The Edinburgh second-row debuted for Scotland against France in 2013 and will lead the team out in Cardiff as vice-captain to complement his achievement.

Exactly 10 years on from his Test debut against Wales in Cardiff, captain Stuart Hogg will mark the occasion with his 90th cap for his country in the same stadium.

Exeter Chiefs’ Jonny Gray will partner Gilchrist after making his return to the Scotland line-up in last Saturday’s thrilling 20-17 victory over England to retain the Calcutta Cup.

Sam Skinner comes into pack

Gray’s Exeter teammate Sam Skinner will start the match in place of Jamie Ritchie in one of five changes from last weekend’s starting team. Ritchie has received surgery on a hamstring injury and will be out for the rest of the 2022 Six Nations Championship.

Edinburgh’s Hamish Watson retains his place in the back-row with Glasgow Warriors’ number eight Matt Fagerson also starting, fresh from his player of the match performance against England.

There are three changes in the front-row with Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel starting alongside hooker Stuart McInally.

Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price and Racing 92’s Finn Russell continue their partnership at 9 and 10 respectively.

There is only one change in the backline with Glasgow Warriors’ centre Sione Tuipulotu set to make his third Scotland appearance at inside centre. He’ll play alongside Gloucester’s Chris Harris, meanwhile Worcester Warriors’ winger Duhan van der Merwe also starts.

Darcy Graham will line up on the other wing at the Principality Stadium following his impressive performance against England.

Glasgow Warriors’ duo Zander Fagerson and George Turner will start the match on the bench alongside Worcester Warriors’ prop Rory Sutherland and Edinburgh’s Magnus Bradbury.

Glasgow flanker Rory Darge will make his debut for his country if he comes off the bench, following an impressive season so far for the Scotstoun side.

Fresh from a dream debut, scrum-half Ben White is once again an option from the bench along with Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn. Bath’s Cam Redpath will be aiming for his second Scotland cap after his making his debut against England last year at Twickenham.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg (c), 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Sam Skinner, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Magnus Bradbury, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Ben White, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Cameron Redpath

Date: Saturday, February 12
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Chris Busby (Ireland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

READ MORE: Johnny Sexton ruled out of Six Nations clash with France as Joey Carbery starts

Wales v Scotland match preview

Shane Byrne and George Chuter join James While to preview the Six Nations fixture in Cardiff.