One new cap to start as Scotland make 11 changes for Italy rematch

Gregor Townsend has named a team to face Italy this Saturday that shows 11 changes from the XV that defeated the Azzurri 19 weeks ago in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations. The Scots won that Murrayfield match 26-14 to finish the tournament in third place, but just four players from that outing will be repeat starters when they host Italy again this weekend in their opening Summer Nations Series match ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Full-back Ollie Smith, winger Kyle Steyn, hooker George Turner and second row Sam Skinner are the four players retained by Townsend as he tests the depth of his squad with the countdown now on towards the finals in France which open with a September 10 clash versus holders South Africa in Marseille.

Back row Rory Darge will skipper a team that offers Test debuts for the starting centre Stafford McDowall and the replacement second row Cameron Henderson.

An SRU statement read: “McDowall has previously made appearances for Scotland U18 and U20 and Henderson, who was born in Hong Kong but qualifies to play for Scotland through his Scottish dad, also featured for the national age-grade teams.

“In the pack, loosehead prop Rory Sutherland has been selected along with tighthead Murphy Walker, with George Turner starting at hooker. Sam Skinner and Scott Cummings come into the second row, with blindside flanker Luke Crosbie and No8 Matt Fagerson joining Darge in the back row.

“Edinburgh’s new signing Ben Healy, who made his first appearance for Scotland during the final 2023 Guinness Six Nations match against Italy earlier this year, starts at stand-off alongside Ali Price at scrum-half. The rest of the backs see Kyle Steyn and Darcy Graham line up on the wings, joined by Chris Harris and debutant McDowell in the centre. Ollie Smith completes the starting 15 at full back having played in the most recent win over Italy in March.

“The replacement bench contains a five-three split with Stuart McInally, Jamie Bhatti, Javan Sebastian, Henderson and Josh Bayliss in place to cover the forwards, and Jamie Dobie, Blair Kinghorn and Cameron Redpath named to bolster the backs.”

Scotland (vs Italy, Saturday):

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps

13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, vice-captain) 42 caps

12. Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped

11. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps

10. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 1 cap

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 61 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 23 caps

2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps

3. Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps

4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby, vice-captain) 25 caps

5. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps

6. Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps

7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors, captain) 7 caps

8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps

Replacements:

16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 47 caps

17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 29 caps

18. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps

19. Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers) uncapped

20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby) 3 caps

21. Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap

22. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 43 caps

23. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 5 caps