Six Nations: Scotland team to face England announced
Head Coach Gregor Townsend has selected his team for this weekend's Calcutta Cup clash
Gregor Townsend has named his team to face England on Saturday in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations opener at BT Murrayfield.
Jonny Gray will make a return to the starting line-up for Scotland after Gregor Townsend named his team to face England in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations opener at BT Murrayfield.
After missing out on the Autumn Test matches through injury, Exeter lock Gray starts for the first time since March 2021 when he played against Ireland.
He is joined in the second row by Edinburgh's Grant Gilchrist, who will be one appearance away from reaching 50 caps after stepping out against England.
Elsewhere in the forwards pack, Worcester prop Rory Sutherland is named after playing in all of last year's Six Nations matches. He is joined in the front row by Glasgow pair, hooker George Turner and prop Zander Fagerson.
Edinburgh duo Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson will combine with Matt Fagerson from Glasgow in the back row.
Racing 92's Finn Russell and Glasgow's Ali Price will partner each other at nine and 10 respectively for the fourth-consecutive game, while Worcester's Duhan Van Der Merwe starts on the wing.
Darcy Graham will be on the opposite flank following some impressive form with Edinburgh.
Gloucester's Chris Harris and Glasgow's Sam Johnson are set to combine in the centre once again, with captain Stuart Hogg starting at full-back in his ninth Calcutta Cup match.
On the bench, London Irish scrum-half Ben White will have the opportunity to make his Scotland debut, with Edinburgh's Blair Kinghorn and Glasgow's Sione Tuipulotu other options in the backs.
Magnus Bradbury is also among the replacements and could make his first appearance for Scotland since 2020, while Sam Skinner, WP Nel, Pierre Schoeman and Stuart McInally are also on the bench.
Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “We feel privileged to be involved in the oldest international rugby fixture on Saturday, against our nearest rivals.
“We are aware of how much winning at Twickenham boosted the spirits of our supporters at the start of last year’s tournament, and we’re looking forward to playing in front of them in person this year.
“We are under no illusions on the tough challenge we have ahead of us against an England side who defeated the World Champions in their last outing.
“The starting 15 we have named has a consistent feel to it which is great for cohesion but we will also benefit from returning players such as Jonny Gray and Rory Sutherland who have been important players for us in recent seasons.
“Ben White has been in very good form for London Irish and has trained well in the last two weeks, so can approach his first involvement at Test level with real confidence.”