GREGOR TOWNSEND has selected a close to full-strength side for Scotland’s final World Cup warm-up match against Georgia at Murrayfield on Saturday, with George Turner, Pierre Schoeman, Richie Gray, Blair Kinghorn and the suspended Zander Fagerson the only players expected to start against South Africa on 10th September not involved.
Jamie Ritchie will lead the side from blindside flanker in a back-row which also features Rory Darge at openside and Jack Dempsey at No 8. Meanwhile, Ben White has recovered from his ankle injury to line-up at scrum-half, with Finn Russell as his half-backs partner.
Scotland (v Georgia at Murrayfield Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm): O Smith; D Graham, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, D van der Merwe; F Russell (VC), B White; J Bhatti, D Cherry, W Nel, S Skinner, G Gilchrist (VC), J Ritchie ©, R Darge, J Dempsey. Substitutes: E Ashman, R Sutherland, J Sebastian, S Cummings, M Fagerson, G Horne, B Healy, C Harris.
2023 Super Series Championship: Round Four Dream Team
RWC23: Hamish Watson ready to fight for Scotland No 7 jersey
RWC23: Owen Farrell suspended for four matches
RWC23: Hamish Watson ready to fight for Scotland No 7 jersey
Four years ago our performance against Georgia at Murrayfield was an embarrassment and so was our performance in our first game in the World Cup itself. This team is better and our first game is tough, again, so we have to do what we can to prepare for it. The warm up games have served their purpose and this one will too, hopefully.
Not to sure about the team , we are ranked world no 5 , we do not need to put out our best team against world no 11. It’s not just injuries it’s possible red cards as well. Play White he’s been injured , but not Finn or the wings or center’s, leave Smith with Harris, Redpath , Steyn and Kinghorn on the wing. Also save Nel.
Got to agree RouterAl. If the first pick players aren’t already primed then the camp is deficient. Finn, centres, Nel n Darcy should be nowhere near this. Still can’t believe we aren’t going to start Horne in RWC. Games will be gone by time he gets on park. No doubt that failing to rescue a list cause will be GT excuse to keep him on bench.
This should be a great game for practicing our set piece ahead of the SA game. For the backs I’m not sure we want to be showing any more of our attacking shape to the SA video analysts so it does raise the question as to why we are risking some key players. Maybe the plan is to go for a quick start, build a lead and then get those guys off.
I will be watching this one through my fingers..full strength squad against a physical Georgian side, 4 warm up games in this day and age too many imo. one mistimed tackle, unlucky collision and a player is out of the WC…
that said love the footy being back but jeez theres a big dance coming up and the players are spending too much time at the local discos.
been made very clear that everyone understands the injury risk. And equally clear that the head coach wants the team fully rugby ready for the 1st game. You know, the one which could determine whether we progress or not. The one for which we were not firing on all cylinders last RWC.
Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t stuff
Is three test matches and 12 weeks together not enough to have pro players sharpened for a game ?
Yep. If our first XV sits this out it is a month between the France game and SA game. Think Toonie’s logic behind this line up is sound, but as usual injuries are an ever present risk we just need to live with.
Fagerson on the wing??
Another of the Fagersons on the wing? Presume it is Darcy G!
D Kinghorn and D Fagerson at wing and full-back?
D Kinghorn and D Fagerson at wing and full-back?