Kinghorn And Van Der Merwe Return As Scotland Reshuffles For Wales Clash
Kinghorn And Van Der Merwe Return As Scotland Reshuffles For Wales Clash
Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe return, as Gregor Townsend makes five changes to Scotland’s side for a crucial Six Nations trip to Wales.
Scotland has reshuffled with intent for its trip to Cardiff, recalling British and Irish Lions duo Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe among five changes to face Wales at Principality Stadium.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has been forced into alterations after Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie all were injured during the 31-20 Calcutta Cup victory over England at Murrayfield.
Dempsey damaged a bicep, Ritchie sustained a knee issue and Dobie suffered a shoulder problem, ruling the trio out of Saturday’s Six Nations encounter.
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Kinghorn returns at fullback, with Kyle Steyn retaining his place on the right wing and van der Merwe restored on the left. The powerful Edinburgh finisher adds thrust to a back line that again features Finn Russell and Ben White at halfback.
Townsend has kept faith with his midfield pairing, with captain Sione Tuipulotu continuing alongside Huw Jones. Steyn, last week’s Guinness Player of the Match, holds his place after an industrious display against England.
Up front, Dave Cherry is preferred at hooker ahead of George Turner, while Max Williamson comes into the second row to partner Scott Cummings.
Gregor Brown shifts to blindside flanker in a reshaped back row, with Rory Darge remaining at openside and Matt Fagerson handed the No. 8 jersey after making an impact from the bench last time out.
Nathan McBeth and Zander Fagerson continue to anchor the scrum at loosehead and tighthead prop, respectively.
Townsend again has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench, maintaining a forward-heavy replacement group, as Scotland looks to match Wales physically in Cardiff.
Turner, Pierre Schoeman and Elliot Millar Mills provide front-row cover, while Grant Gilchrist offers experience in the engine room. Josh Bayliss adds versatility across the back row.
George Horne, Tom Jordan and Darcy Graham complete the matchday 23 as backline options, with Jordan dropping to the bench following Dobie’s injury enforced absence.
Scotland travels buoyed by its statement win over England, but the squad is aware that Cardiff historically has proven to be a hostile venue.
Wales, despite a prolonged run of defeats, remains dangerous at home and will be desperate to arrest its own slide.
For Townsend, continuity in key areas, coupled with targeted changes, reflects a side seeking balance, rather than wholesale reinvention.
The returns of Kinghorn and van der Merwe sharpen the cutting edge, while the pack reshuffle aims to absorb the loss of Ritchie and Dempsey without sacrificing breakdown presence or carrying threat.
With momentum building and confidence restored after Murrayfield, Scotland now faces a different challenge. Back-to-back Championship victories would underline the team's credentials. Anything less would reopen familiar questions about consistency on the road.
Scotland Team To Face Wales
Starting XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 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
How To Watch Six Nations 2026
The 2026 Six Nations Championship will be broadcast on different networks all over the world.
If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.
- UK: BBC / ITV
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: RTÉ / Virgin Media
- Wales (Welsh-language): S4C
- France: France Télévisions
- Italy: Sky Sport / NOW (all matches); TV8 (Italy matches free-to-air)
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
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