Hamish Watson will return for Scotland for a primary run out on this 12 months’s Six Nations as coach Gregor Townsend named a powerful line-up for Sunday’s conflict with holders France in Paris.
Flanker Watson is the one change to the crew that beat Wales 35-7 at Murrayfield of their second recreation a fortnight in the past – the primary time since 1996 that they’d gained their opening two matches of a Six Nations event.
Watson was concussed in November’s Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand. Though he made a comeback at membership stage earlier than the Six Nations kicked off, the 31-year-old was overlooked of the Scotland aspect in favor of Luke Crosbie to permit extra time for restoration.
“We expect Hamish is again to his full health and he is performed with actual velocity in his two video games for Edinburgh, and we clearly know what Hamish has completed for us prior to now,” Townsend mentioned on Friday.
“We all know he’ll seize the chance. It is robust on Luke Crosbie who has performed nicely in these two video games however we really feel that it is proper for Hamish to come back again for such an enormous recreation.”
Townsend made two adjustments on the bench the place there will likely be six forwards and two backs for what is predicted to be a bodily encounter on the Stade de France.
“The 6-2 cut up is just not one thing we go to fairly often however France have completed that of their final 5 to 6 video games and it is a bit bit about matching up what they could do,” defined Townsend.
Former skipper Stuart Hogg is ready for his 99th Scottish cap and is one in every of eight starters who stay from the crew that gained 27-23 on their final journey to Paris two years in the past.
“There’s an pleasure concerning the challenges forward of us and the alternatives, but in addition a dedication,” added Townsend, whose aspect beat England at Twickenham of their opener.
“We will play a lot better than we did within the first two video games and we all know our efficiency should enhance if we’re going to get a win in Paris.”
Scotland, who’re second within the desk behind Eire on factors distinction, haven’t gained the Six Nations since 1999. France are in fourth place after beating Italy of their first match and shedding to 32-19 to Eire final day trip.
SCOTLAND: Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuiplutu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White, Matt Fagerson, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie (capt), Grant Gilchrist, Richie Grey, Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Jonny Grey, Sam Skinner Jack Dempsey, Ali Value, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.
