Jack Dempsey handed first Guinness Six Nations start

Glasgow Warriors will see eight of their squad members starting for Scotland this Sunday, when the men’s national team face Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations at BT Murrayfield (kick-off 3pm).

Of those eight starters, back row player Jack Dempsey is given his first Guinness Six Nations start.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has retained his other Glasgow starters from the closely fought loss to France a fortnight ago – hooker George Turner, tighthead prop Zander Fagerson, lock Richie Gray, back row Matt Fagerson, centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones – the 2023 championship’s current leading try scorer – and winger Kyle Steyn.

With Dempsey selected at number 8, having previously featured from the bench against England, Wales, and France, Matt Fagerson moves to the openside flank. This is Dempsey’s second Scotland start, his first coming against Argentina in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

A further five Glasgow Warriors replacements can feature from the bench. Scotland have opted for a full Warriors replacement front row with Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, and Simon Berghan selected. Berghan wears the number 18 jersey in place of WP Nel this time. Scott Cummings is also named on the bench for a chance to earn his first Scotland cap from this campaign.

The Warrior’s contingent is completed with Ali Price wearing 21, as replacement scrum half. If Price does come on, on Sunday, he will earn his 60^th Scotland cap.

In addition, former Glasgow Warrior, Stuart Hogg, is in line to make his 100^th Scotland appearance, starting at full back.