11 Warriors selected for France showdown

• 24 Feb 2023

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named a matchday 23 containing 11 Warriors for Sunday’s trip to Paris, as the visitors look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2023 Guinness Six Nations at the Stade de France.

10 of the Glasgow contingent selected were also involved in Scotland’s thrilling victories over England and Wales in the opening rounds, results that see the men in blue sit joint top of the standings after two matches.

Ali Price is the new addition to the matchday 23, the scrum-half set for his first action of the 2023 tournament from the replacements bench after impressing during his cameo in Glasgow’s 17-11 victory over Ulster at Scotstoun last weekend.

A try-scorer against Wales at BT Murrayfield, George Turner continues at hooker for the third outing in succession, with Zander Fagerson joining him at the coal face after the tight-head’s return from injury last time out.

Richie Gray is the most experienced member of the Scotland pack, the second-rower in line to win his 72^nd cap in the dark blue jersey.

Matt Fagerson makes his twelfth successive appearance in a Scotland matchday squad, having made more tackles than any other player in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations to date.

The all-action centre combination of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones is once again given the nod by Townsend, the pair having dove-tailed to devastating effect thus far in the championship.

Club captain Kyle Steyn retains his place on the wing, after crossing for a brace in Scotland’s historic win over Wales a fortnight ago.

Fraser Brown and Jamie Bhatti are once again retained amongst the front-row cover, the pair having come off the bench in both of Scotland’s matches so far in the championship.

Jack Dempsey completes the Glasgow cohort selected for Sunday’s clash, pulling on the number 21 jersey in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Kick-off on Sunday afternoon is scheduled for 3pm (UK time), with the match live on STV.

Scotland team to face France in the Guinness Six Nations, Sunday 26 February, kick-off 3pm (UK time) – live on STV

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 98 caps
14. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 25 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) 67 caps
9. Ben White (London Irish) 11 caps

1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 18 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 55 caps
4. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 71 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-Captain – 61 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 38 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 54 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 30 caps

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 59 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 52 caps
19. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) 74 caps
20. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps
21. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps
22. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 58 caps
23. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 40 caps