Scotland make four changes for Calcutta Cup

12 Feb 2026

Head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to Scotland’s starting line-up for this weekend’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations match against England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, with Nathan McBeth, George Turner, Gregor Brown and Jamie Ritchie all selected.

Nathan McBeth makes his first Six Nations start. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Dave Cherry, who earns a spot on the bench as replacement hooker, is the fifth change to Scotland’s matchday 23 from week one.

McBeth’s inclusion represents a first championship start for the 27-year-old loosehead, who will pack down alongside Turner at hooker and Zander Fagerson at tighthead.

In the second row, Brown joins forces with Scott Cummings, having been a substitute against Italy on the opening weekend.

Elsewhere, blindside flanker Ritchie gets the nod to join openside Rory Darge and number 8 Jack Dempsey to complete a pack showing those four changes from week one.

The back division remains as was for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup encounter, with Tom Jordan retaining his place at full-back and Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie lining up on the wings.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu will again lead the team from inside centre, with Huw Jones on his outside, as Ben White and Finn Russell once more resume their partnership at scrum-half and stand-off respectively.

Cherry is joined on the replacements’ bench by loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and tighthead Elliot Millar Mills, with Max Williamson and Matt Fagerson covering the second and back rows.

Scrum-half George Horne, stand-off Adam Hastings and winger Darcy Graham complete Scotland’s Calcutta Cup squad. 

Scotland team to face England in the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday 14 February 2026, kick-off 4:40pm – live on STV/ITV (caps in brackets):

15. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears (13)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (29)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (59)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (34) – Captain
11. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (18)

10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (90) Vice-captain
9. Ben White – Toulon (32)

1. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (6)
2. George Turner – Harlequins (51)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (77)
4. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (13)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (46)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Perpignan (61)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (35) Vice-captain
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (30)

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry – Vannes (16)
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (45)
18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (12)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (10)
20. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (60)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (41)
22. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (35)
23. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (51)

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