Steyn gets starting role for Scotland's World Cup warm-up match
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has revealed his team for their first World Cup warm-up match against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Rory Darge will lead Scotland for the first time.
The 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors flank earned his first Scotland cap against Wales in the 2022 Six Nations and has gone on to win another six since. Darge has previous captaincy experience, leading the Scotland Under-20 team during the U20 Six Nations three years ago.
Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall and Leicester Tigers lock Cameron Henderson are set to make their Scotland debuts. McDowall has previously made appearances for Scotland U18 and U20 and Henderson, who was born in Hong Kong but qualifies to play for Scotland through his Scottish dad, also featured for the national age-grade teams.
In the pack, loosehead prop Rory Sutherland has been selected along with tighthead Murphy Walker, with George Turner starting at hooker. Sam Skinner and Scott Cummings come into the second row, with blindside flank Luke Crosbie and No.8 Matt Fagerson joining Darge in the back row.
Edinburgh’s new signing Ben Healy, who made his first appearance for Scotland during the final 2023 Six Nations match against Italy earlier this year, starts at flyhalf alongside Ali Price at scrumhalf.
The backs see South African-born Kyle Steyn and Darcy Graham line up on the wings, joined by Chris Harris and debutant McDowell in the centre. Ollie Smith completes the starting XV at fullback having played in the most recent win over Italy in March.
The replacement bench contains a five-three split with Stuart McInally, Jamie Bhatti, Javan Sebastian, Henderson and Josh Bayliss in place to cover the forwards, and Jamie Dobie, Blair Kinghorn and Cameron Redpath named to bolster the backs.
Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge (captain), 6 Luke Crosbie, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Murphy Walker, 2 George Turner, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Cameron Redpath.
Date: Saturday, July 29
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15.15 (16.15 Italy time; 14.15 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
