Scotland Recall Key Duo for Cardiff Clash with Wales in Six Nations
Scotland have announced a revamped lineup for their upcoming Six Nations encounter against Wales in Cardiff, with five significant changes to the starting XV that secured a memorable victory over England. Head coach Gregor Townsend has reinstated the British & Irish Lions pairing of Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe, both of whom were omitted from the squad for the opening matches against Italy and England due to form concerns.
Key Changes in Scotland's Backline and Pack
Blair Kinghorn, the Toulouse full-back, returns to the starting lineup, taking over from Tom Jordan, who moves to the bench. Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland's all-time leading try-scorer, reclaims his spot on the wing, replacing the injured Jamie Dobie. These adjustments aim to bolster Scotland's attacking prowess as they seek to build on their recent success.
In the forward pack, three further changes have been implemented. Dave Cherry steps in at hooker in place of George Turner, who is named among the substitutes. Injuries to back-rowers Jamie Ritchie and Jack Dempsey have prompted a reshuffle, with Matt Fagerson slotting in at No 8 and the versatile Gregor Brown moving to blindside flanker. Max Williamson of Glasgow is called up to fill the second-row position vacated by Brown.
The bench features a 5-3 split, with Grant Gilchrist and Josh Bayliss returning as substitutes, providing additional depth and flexibility for the match.
Wales Introduce Debutant and Seek to End Losing Streak
Wales, under the guidance of Steve Tandy, have made four changes to their side following a heavy defeat to France. The most notable inclusion is Gabriel Hamer-Webb, who will make his international debut on the wing. The Leicester player, born in Bath and previously capped by England Under-20s, qualifies for Wales through his Cardiff-born mother and has impressed with his performances at club level.
Tandy praised Hamer-Webb's dedication, stating, "Gabe has really impressed me in the way he's attacked training and adapted to the squad. His efforts have been outstanding, and this opportunity is thoroughly deserved." He replaces Ellis Mee, while Sam Costelow returns at outside-half, marking his first appearance for Wales since July.
In the pack, Ben Carter is preferred over Adam Beard in the second row, and Taine Plumtree takes the blindside flanker role. Aaron Wainwright shifts back to No 8, with Olly Cracknell dropping out. New faces on the bench include Freddie Thomas, James Botham, and Blair Murray, as Wales aim to inject freshness into their lineup.
Context and Expectations for the Match
Wales are enduring a challenging period, having lost 13 consecutive Six Nations matches and 23 of their last 25 Tests overall. Their last home victory in the tournament was against Scotland in February 2022, adding pressure to turn their fortunes around. Tandy emphasized the need for consistency, saying, "We want to build on our performance and see more consistent moments to get the outcome we desire."
Scotland, meanwhile, arrive in Cardiff with momentum from their 31-20 Calcutta Cup win over England, which helped them recover from an opening defeat to Italy. The recall of experienced players like Kinghorn and Van der Merwe underscores their intent to secure a crucial away victory and strengthen their position in the championship standings.
This highly anticipated clash promises to be a pivotal moment in the Six Nations, with both teams eager to assert their dominance and climb the rankings.
