Three changes as Scotland name team to play Italy

Head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to Scotland’s starting line-up ahead of their trip to Rome to face Italy in the penultimate round of 2024 Guinness Men’s Six Nations fixtures.

Andy Christie, Cameron Redpath and George Horne all start, having been replacements in the win against England on 24 February.

For Christie, named at blindside flanker, a first start in Scotland colours will see him join co-captain Rory Darge (openside) and No 8 Jack Dempsey in the back row.

Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings link up in the second row once more, the former named as vice-captain.

For the fourth match in succession, and eighth in the championship since last year’s meeting with Wales, Scotland’s front row comprises George Turner at hooker, with Pierre Schoeman and loosehead prop and Zander Fagerson packing down at tighthead.

In the back division, Redpath is named at inside centre alongside Huw Jones, after Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out of the remaining matches through injury.

Scrum-half Horne gets the nod to partner stand-off and co-captain Finn Russell as Scotland seek to retain the Cuttitta Cup, which will be played for the third time since its 2022 inauguration.

Fresh from his scintillating hat-trick against England, Duhan van der Merwe is part of an unchanged back three with fellow winger Kyle Steyn and Blair Kinghorn, who occupies the full-back berth.

The front row replacements are also unchanged, with Ewan Ashman (hooker), Alec Hepburn and Elliot Millar-Mills (loose and tighthead respectively), joining second row Sam Skinner, whilst Jamie Ritchie and Matt Fagerson provide back row replenishments.

With those six forwards, it means there are two backs listed as replacements in the form of the experienced scrum-half Ali Price, who would make a first championship appearance of the campaign, and versatile back-three operator Kyle Rowe.

Scotland team to face Italy at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations on Saturday 9 March, kick-off 2.15pm (UK) – live on ITV/STV (caps in brackets):

15. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (51)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (17)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (46)
12. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (12)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (37)

10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (78)
9. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (28)

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (29)
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (43)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (65)
4. Grant Gilchrist – Vice-Captain – Edinburgh Rugby (70)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (36)
6. Andy Christie – Saracens (6)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (17)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (18)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (15)
17. Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (3)
18. Elliot Millar-Mills – Northampton Saints (2)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (33)
20. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (48)
21. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (42)
22. Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (66)
23. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (3)