Smith to make Six Nations debut

• 16 Mar 2023

Glasgow Warriors full-back Ollie Smith will make his first appearance in the Guinness Six Nations this weekend, after being selected to start in Scotland’s final match of the 2023 championship against Italy at BT Murrayfield.

The 22-year-old – who scored on his BT Murrayfield debut against Australia in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series – is one of 10 Warriors selected in Gregor Townsend’s matchday 23, with Glasgow contributing the most players to the squad for the fifth successive fixture.

Sione Tuipulotu is one of seven Warriors to have featured in each of Scotland’s five matches in the championship, with the centre also handed the vice-captaincy by Head Coach Townsend after consistently impressing in the competition thus far.

Huw Jones once again lines up outside his club-mate, as he looks to add to his championship-leading tally of four tries to date.

Kyle Steyn retains his place on the wing after an industrious showing throughout the championship, the Glasgow skipper having also started in last year’s clash with the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico.

Up front, Jack Dempsey continues at number eight after impressing on his first Guinness Six Nations start last weekend, making more metres with ball in hand against Ireland than any other Scottish forward.

Zander Fagerson makes his fourth consecutive start since returning from injury, with the tight-head the most experienced Warrior in the starting XV as he prepares to win his 58^th cap.

George Turner packs down alongside Fagerson in the front-row, having started each match in the 2023 competition.

Three more Warriors line up on the bench, including Scott Cummings after a 75-minute performance against Ireland on his first Scotland appearance since returning from injury.

Ali Price retains the 21 jersey, the scrum-half having sparked the free-flowing move that led to Chris Harris’s World Rugby Try of the Year nominee in Rome last season.

Matt Fagerson completes the Glasgow contingent as he rotates to the bench for the first time in the championship, the back-rower’s tally of 70 tackles enough to see him sit atop the standings after four rounds of action.

Scotland host the first match of this year’s Super Saturday, with kick-off at BT Murrayfield scheduled for 12.30pm.

Scotland team to face Italy in the Guinness Six Nations on Sunday 18 March at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, kick-off 12.30pm GMT – live on BBC One

1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) 20 caps

2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) 34 caps

3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 57 caps

4. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 24 caps

5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – Vice-Captain – 76 caps

6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 40 caps

7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) 56 caps

8. Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors) 8  caps

9. Ben White (London Irish) 13 caps

10. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 42 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) – Vice Captain – 15 caps

13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 35 caps

14. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks) 6 caps

17. Rory Sutherland (Ulster Rugby) 22 caps

18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 53 caps

19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps

20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps

21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 60 caps

22. Ben Healy (Munster) uncapped

23. Cam Redpath (Bath) 4 caps