Scotland name team for final Guinness Six Nations match of 2021

24 Mar 2021

Head Coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his starting XV for Scotland’s final Guinness Six Nations match against France at Stade de France, Paris, on Friday 26 March – kick off 8pm (UK time).

Finn Russell and Ali Price return to form the half-backs, with Chris Harris selected at centre and hooker George Turner also returning to the starting line-up.

Captain Stuart Hogg moves to his more familiar role at full-back having played at stand-off in the record win over Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday, with try scorers from that game, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, again lining up on the wing.

Sam Johnson partners Harris in the centres with Huw Jones providing cover from the bench alongside Scott Steele and Adam Hastings, who is poised for his first involvement of the championship following his return from injury.

Turner’s return sees the hooker pack down with Rory Sutherland at loosehead and Zander Fagerson at tighthead, with Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner combining again in the second row.

Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson comprise the back row for the fourth time this championship.

Hooker David Cherry, who scored a brace of tries against Italy, is joined by Oli Kebble and Simon Berghan as front row cover, with last week’s debutant Alex Craig and Nick Haining offering further forward options from the bench.

Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “The match against France provides us with an opportunity to finish the Six Nations in our highest position in its history.

“This is a great opportunity for us to take on France, at home in Paris, as they also look to end the championship on a high.

“Both teams have needed to manage a short six-day turnaround and we have used this week to regroup and focus on putting in our best performance of the competition so far, which we will need to deliver if we are to leave Paris with a victory.

“As a group we have faced several challenges throughout this Six Nations, it has brought us closer together, and I know the players are motivated and looking forward to representing their country again on Friday night.”

Scotland team to play France at Stade de France in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations

Friday 26 March (kick-off 8pm, UK time) – live on BBC One

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) 84 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 18 caps

13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 27 caps

12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 9 caps

10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) VICE CAPTAIN – 54 caps

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 15 caps

2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps

3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps