SCRUM-HALF GEORGE Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, (Live: Virgin Media One and ITV 1, 2.15pm).
Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting XV.
The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.
Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.
Bath centre Cam Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury.
Your Scotland team for Saturday's trip to Rome has been confirmed 🏴
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 7, 2024
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Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.
The Scots are currently second in the table and need a win to keep alive their slim championship hopes.
Louis Lynagh, the son of Australia rugby great Michael Lynagh, will make his senior international debut in Rome after opting to play for Italy.
Lynagh was born in Treviso where his father played and his mother is Italian, but he moved to England when he was four years old.
Last month the 23-year-old decided to return to Treviso by switching from Harlequins for United Rugby Championship team Benetton.
Lynagh, who represented England at youth level, will play on the right flank for Gonzalo Quesada’s men as star man Ange Capuozzo starts at full-back and Monty Ioane on the left wing.
Benetton flanker Sebastian Negri returns to the pack for Italy who are bottom of the standings with three points after defeats to England and leaders Ireland and a nail-biting draw with France last time out.
Additional reporting – © AFP 2024
Scotland
- 15. Blair Kinghorn
- 14. Kyle Steyn
- 13. Huw Jones
- 12. Cameron Redpath
- 11. Duhan Van Der Merwe
- 10. Finn Russell
- 9. George Horne
- 1. Pierre Schoeman
- 2. George Turner
- 3. Zander Fagerson
- 4. Grant Gilchrist (captain)
- 5. Scott Cummings
- 6. Andy Christie
- 7. Rory Darge
- 8. Jack Dempsey
Replacements
- 16. Ewan Ashman
- 17. Alec Hepburn
- 18. Elliot Millar-Mills
- 19. Sam Skinner
- 20. Jamie Ritchie
- 21. Matt Fagerson
- 22. Ali Price
- 23. Kyle Rowe
Italy
- 15. Ange Capuozzo
- 14. Louis Lynagh
- 13. Juan Ignacio Brex
- 12. Tommaso Menoncello
- 11. Monty Ioane
- 10. Paolo Garbisi
- 9. Martin Page-Relo
- 1. Danilo Fischetti
- 2. Giacomo Nicotera
- 3. Simone Ferrari
- 4. Niccolo Cannon
- 5. Federico Ruzza
- 6. Sebastian Negri
- 7. Michele Lamaro (captain)
- 8. Ross Vintcent
Replacements
- 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi
- 17. Mirco Spagnolo
- 18. Giosue Zilocchi
- 19. Andrea Zambonin
- 20. Lorenzo Cannone
- 21. Stephen Varney
- 22. Leonardo Marin
- 23. Federico Mori
