Grant Gilchrist set for 50th Scotland cap in Cardiff

The Edinburgh Rugby 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 Scotland debut against Wales in Cardiff, Captain Stuart Hogg will mark the occasion with his 90^th 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.

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 line-up. Ritchie has received surgery on a hamstring injury and will be out for the rest of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship.

Edinburgh Rugby’s Hamish Watson retains his place in the back row with Glasgow Warriors’ number 8 Matt Fagerson also starting, fresh from his Player of the Match performance against England.

There are three changes in the front row with Edinburgh Rugby’s 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 back line with Glasgow Warriors’ centre Sione Tuipulotu set to make his third Scotland appearance at inside centre. He’ll play alongside Gloucester Rugby’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 Rugby’s Magnus Bradbury.

Glasgow Warriors’ 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 Rugby’s Blair Kinghorn. Bath Rugby’s Cam Redpath will be aiming for his second Scotland cap after his making his Scotland debut against England last year at Twickenham.

Sign up here to the Scottish Rugby newsletter to get all the latest news from the Scotland camp direct to your inbox during the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.

Scotland team to face Wales in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations at the Principality Stadium, live on BBC One, Saturday, 12 February – kick-off 2.15pm.

15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – (Captain) – 89 caps

14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 23 caps

13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 32 caps

12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – 2 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 14 caps

10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – (Vice-Captain) – 59 caps

9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 47 caps

1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 5 caps

2. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 44 caps

3. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 44 caps

4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 65 caps

5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – (Vice-Captain) – 49 caps

6. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 16 caps

7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 46 caps

8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps

Replacements

16. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 21 caps

17. Rory Sutherland – Worcester Warriors – 17 caps

18. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 43 caps

19. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 15 caps

20. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – Uncapped

21. Ben White – London Irish – 1 cap

22. Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 28 caps

23. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby – 1 cap

Listen to our latest podcast episode here ⤵️