Scotland make Duhan van der Merwe call for latest Six Nations job
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wing Duhan van der Merwe returns to Scotland’s matchday squad for Saturday’s Six Nations Round Three clash against Wales in Cardiff.
The South African-born flyer is one of five changes to the starting XV that thumped England at Murrayfield last weekend.
It will be Van der Merwe’s first appearance in this year’s Six Nations tournament.
Blair Kinghorn also returns and he will look after the fullback position.
Townsend has opted to keep the same halfback pairing of Ben White and Finn Russell. In midfield, captain Sione Tuipulotu will once again partner with Huw Jones, whilst last week’s Player of the Match, Kyle Steyn, retains his place on the right wing.
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Meanwhile, Scotland’s front row remains anchored by Nathan McBeth and Zander Fagerson at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively, while Dave Cherry returns to the starting line-up at hooker.
The second-row combination sees Max Williamson starting alongside Scott Cummings, whilst Gregor Brown moves to blindside flanker. Rory Darge remains at openside, and Matt Fagerson has been handed the number No.8, having made an impact off the bench against England.
The remaining changes to the backline see Kinghorn selected at full-back and van der Merwe starting on the left wing.
Among the replacements, Pierre Schoeman and Elliot Millar Mills provide front-row reinforcements, with George Turner listed as the replacement hooker.
Grant Gilchrist returns to supply experienced cover in the second row, while Josh Bayliss provides versatility across the back row.
Tom Jordan, George Horne and Darcy Graham complete the matchday 23 as backline options.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Nathan McBeth.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne. 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Darcy Graham.
Date: Saturday, February 21
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.40 (16.40 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
