12 Warriors selected for Ireland showdown

NICE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Ali Price during a Scotland training session at the Stade Nicois Rugby Club, on October 02 2023, in Nice, France (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Only a win will suffice for the men in blue if they are to make their first quarter-final since 2015, with Scotland needing to deny their opponents any bonus points to maximise their chances of qualification.

A settled front-row sees George Turner start at hooker, returning to the matchday 23 after being rested for the 84-0 dismantling of Romania last Saturday.

Zander Fagerson is another to return to the coal-face, the tight-head having scored his first international try in Scotland’s closing match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup pool stages.

Richie Gray is the most-experienced player selected in the Scotland matchday 23, the second-rower set to win his 78^th cap on Saturday night.

Rory Darge returns to the starting lineup having come off the bench against Romania, the openside flanker having scored in each of his last two outings in a Scotland shirt.

Jack Dempsey starts at number eight, having also started against Ireland in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations fixture between the two nations.

Behind the scrum, Ali Price is given the nod to start at scrum-half, the 2021 British and Irish Lion having scored his first try for Scotland in four years during the victory over Romania.

Sione Tuipulotu starts at inside centre, having featured in both of Scotland’s opening two matches of the tournament before being rested for the Romania encounter.

He is joined once again by Huw Jones in the midfield, the pair continuing the partnership voted as the best in the Guinness Six Nations by supporters earlier this year.

Four further Warriors await amongst the replacements, with Townsend and his coaching team opting for a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Scott Cummings wears the number 19 shirt, the second-rower featuring against Ireland for the second successive Rugby World Cup.

Matt Fagerson rotates to the bench after an impressive outing with ball in hand against Romania, the back-rower having scored his third try for his country against the Oaks.

George Horne will once again look to bring the energy from the bench as and when called upon by Towsnend, the former Howe of Fife man having assisted club-mate Johnny Matthews’s debut try during a dynamic cameo last time out.

Ollie Smith completes the Glasgow contingent, having scored a scintillating solo try on a start against Romania last time out.

The match is live this Saturday on STV and ITV, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.

Scotland team to face Ireland at Stade de France, Saturday 7 October, kick-off 8pm UK time – live on STV

1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 25 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 39 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 61 caps
4. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 77 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 67 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 45 caps
7. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps
8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 65 caps
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – Vice-captain – 74 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) 21 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 42 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 38 caps
15. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 49 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 caps
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 27 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 60 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 39 caps
21. Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 6 caps
22. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps
23. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps