CAMERON REDPATH – who represented England at Under-20s level and was selected to tour South Africa with the senior England team in 2018 when still only 18 before injury ruled him out of that trip – has been named at inside centre for Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against the ‘Auld Enemy’ at Twickenham.
The 21-year-old Bath player will form an exciting midfield partnership with Finn Russell at stand-off. Sean Maitland returns on the wing, while Matt Fagerson gets the nod ahead of Gary Graham at No8, and Jamie Ritchie has recovered from his head-knock to start at blindside flanker.
George Turner starts at hooker in place of the injured Fraser Brown and Stuart McInally, while Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry is in line to make his international debut off the bench.
Richie Gray will make his first appearance since March 2018 after being named as a replacement.
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“This most historic of fixtures against England is a great start to the 2021 Guinness Six Nations and a challenge we will fully embrace with the objective of playing to our potential and ultimately lifting our supporters in these difficult times,” said head coach Gregor Townsend.
“We learned a lot about ourselves and where the game is going during our Autumn campaign, and we aim to build on this base during the next seven weeks. We are set for a huge challenge against England as we will be facing one of the best teams in the world.
“It’s always a pleasure to welcome a new player into our squad and we are looking forward to Cam Redpath winning his first cap on Saturday. We have been really impressed with Cam’s contributions in the time he has been with us in camp. There are a number of experienced players in the backline to help make his transition to Test rugby go as smoothly as possible, and he has the mindset and skillset to thrive at this level.
“The opportunity of competing for the Calcutta Cup against our oldest rivals is something to get Scots around the world excited about.”
Scotland (v England on Saturday, at Twickenham Stadium, kick-off 4.45pm GMT): S Hogg©; S Maitland, C Harries, C Redpath, D van der Merwe; F Russell, A Price; R Sutherland, G Turner, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, J Gray, J Ritchie, H Watson, M Fagerson. Substitutes: D Cherry, O Kebble, W Nel, R Gray, G Graham, S Steele, J van der Walt, H Jones.
England: E Daly; A Watson, H Slade, O Lawrence, J May; O Farrell©, B Youngs; E Genge, J George, W Stuart, M Itoje, J Hill, M Wilson, T Curry, W Vunipola. Substitutes: L Cowan-Dickie, B Obano, H Williams, C Lawes, B Earl, D Robson, G Ford, M Malins.
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Looking at that team, I’m struck that of the 7 backs 9-15, only Duhan and Price are playing their rugby in Scotland (and even then, Duhan VDM is off south next season). What does that say much about the state of back play at Edinburgh and Glasgow currently. Or perhaps we’re the victims of our own ‘success’ in recent years with a crop of talented backs that have been poached away by English/French teams with more financial clout? Oddly the situation is reversed in the forwards with only Jonny Gray playing outside of Scotland! My main concern is about the front row competing with their English opposite numbers and being able to produce decent ball.
Regardless, good luck to the lads.
Not far off the team id have picked tbh. Only one up for debate in pack was Matt F or Graham at 8, interested to see what Graham brings to the party 2nd half. Brilliant to see Redpath starting at 12 he looks a class act, huge fan of Jones but maybe no bad thing to have the recent continuity of Harris at outside centre next to young Redpath! Always a tough fixture at Twickenham, but let’s start well for a change and stick it to them!! #AsOne
Would have preferred Graham at 8 based on current form, plus he brings more aggression and oomph.
Can’t disagree with that based upon form. Graham is the form player in that position. But its looks like a tactical selection for Toony. He wants that impact 8 in the second half to play a role, and I’d say Graham will be chomping at the bit to show what he’s got again.
Van Der Merwe Hat-trick? I can see Daly and May struggling to contain him if given the ball in space.
Nice team, they will need to be it’s twickers and a very good England side.
Uneasy feelings is Maitland as sharp as he needs to be, Saracens have played little rugby this year, not sure I would have thrown Redpath in to start, coming on at 55 minutes yes starting time will tell.
Lets hope the weather does not spoil the 150 anniversary game and it comes close to last time.
Strong team.
Will be an interesting match up. Could this be the year?
Though as Brian Moore said in his podcast, the winners can look ahead with confidence. The losers fret on winning their next match.
Here the team sheet for Saturday according to the SRU. Have to say I am excited by the team and the bench. I think we have a lot to prove and its on the 150th anniversary of the fixture. Looking forward to this immensely…
15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 80 caps
14. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 50 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 23 caps
12. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) – 0 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 5 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 51 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 11 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 34 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 61 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie VICE CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) – 23 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh – 36 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 0 caps
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh) – 40 caps
19. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 65 caps
20. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 2 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 1 cap
22. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps
Grant – aye, the original TOL team sheet had some errors but now corrected
Fantastic. We have the possibility of a Russell, Redpath, Jones midfield in the later stages of the game
Can’t help but to agree with you on that comment.
David – article / comment is correct, but Gary G is listed above, in the team at 8, with Matt F on bench.
According to the SRU release it’s JVDW on the bench not Lang. Also spelling of Harris.
Generally sound selections though folk may question Harris at 13 and Matt Fagerson at 8. Harris is defensively solid,however,straightens the attack-line well and runs hard. Fagerson is no small unit but he is up against a behemoth in Vunipola. Nice, physical bench and good luck to Cammy Redpath on his first cap, perhaps he will bring much needed guile at centre.
Think you need to check the team sheet at the bottom of the article