Scotland team v France: Gregor Townsend backs ‘against the spirit of the game’ tactics for France showdown
Gregor Townsend has made two changes to his starting XV this weekend.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has opted to deploy a 6/2 bench split for his side’s clash with France, in an effort to neutralise Le Bomb Squad.?
Townsend has been fairly outspoken regarding the 7/1 bench, with reports suggesting he claimed it goes against the spirit of the game at a recent World Rugby event in London, however, he has met fire with fire as he has deployed a 6/2 split.
He also used this split for their defeats to Ireland and England.
Gregor Townsend names 6/2 bench split for France clash
Looking at his starting XV, Townsend has made two changes to the side which beat Wales last weekend – both coming in the pack. Gregor Brown has come in for Jonny Gray in the second-row, whilst Matt Fagerson will start at number eight in place of Jack Dempsey, who misses the Test through injury.
With the changes coming in the pack, Townsend’s backline remains untouched for the clash against Les Bleus. Toulouse flyer Blair Kinghorn starts at full-back, with Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe named on the wings. Huw Jones partners Tom Jordan in the centres, while former Racing 92 man Finn Russell starts alongside Toulon’s Ben White in the halves.
Up front, the aforementioned M. Fagerson joins Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie in the back-row. Brown starts alongside?Grant Gilchrist at lock, with Zander Fagerson, Dave Cherry and?Pierre Schoeman in the front-row.
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On the bench,?Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, and Stafford McDowall all retain their spots from last weekend. Bordeaux lock Gray and Jamie Dobie also features on the bench, while?Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster will make their Six Nations debut if deployed in Paris.
Scotland can still mathematically win the Six Nations this weekend if results go their way, but that is incredibly unlikely. A win in Paris, however, could hand either Ireland or England the title on Saturday evening.
Scotland team to face France
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14?Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12?Tom Jordan, 11?Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Matt Fagerson,?7 Rory Darge,?6 Jamie Ritchie,?5 Grant Gilchrist,?4 Gregor Brown,?3 Zander Fagerson,?2 Dave Cherry, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Marshall Sykes, 21 Ben Muncaster, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Stafford McDowall
Date: Saturday, March 15
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
