Chiefs trio start for Scotland in Wales clash

By Jack Lewis
10/02/2022

Stuart Hogg will once again captain Scotland as they take on Wales in the second round of this season's Six Nations tournament, exactly ten years on from making his international debut in Cardiff.  

He is joined in the starting line-up by fellow Exeter Chiefs' Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner, with the powerful back-row promoted from the bench to start at six in place of the injured Jamie Ritchie.

The three Chiefs stars, all featured in last week's Calcutta Cup triumph over England, and will be looking to make it two from two as they visit the Principality Stadium to face a Wales team who are coming off the back of a tough loss in Dublin.

Elsewhere Edinburgh Rugby’s Hamish Watson retains his place in the back row with Glasgow Warriors’ number 8 Matt Fagerson also starting, fresh from his Player of the Match performance against England.

There are three changes in the front row with Edinburgh Rugby’s Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel starting alongside hooker Stuart McInally.

Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price and Racing 92’s Finn Russell continue their partnership at 9 and 10 respectively.

There is only one change in the back line with Glasgow Warriors’ centre Sione Tuipulotu set to make his third Scotland appearance at inside centre. He’ll play alongside Gloucester Rugby’s Chris Harris, meanwhile Worcester Warriors’ winger Duhan van der Merwe also starts. Darcy Graham will line up on the other wing at the Principality Stadium following his impressive performance against England.

Glasgow Warriors’ duo Zander Fagerson and George Turner will start the match on the bench alongside Worcester Warriors’ prop Rory Sutherland and Edinburgh Rugby’s Magnus Bradbury.

Glasgow Warriors’ flanker Rory Darge will make his debut for his country if he comes off the bench, following an impressive season so far for the Scotstoun side.

Fresh from a dream debut, scrum-half Ben White is once again an option from the bench along with Edinburgh Rugby’s Blair Kinghorn. Bath Rugby’s Cam Redpath will be aiming for his second Scotland cap after his making his Scotland debut against England last year at Twickenham.

SCOTLAND TEAM TO FACE WALES

15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 89 caps
14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 23 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby - 32 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors - 2 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors - 14 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - 59 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors - 47 caps

1. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 5 caps
2. Stuart McInally - Edinburgh Rugby - 44 caps
3. WP Nel - Edinburgh Rugby - 44 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 65 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - 48 caps
6. Sam Skinner - Exeter Chiefs - 16 caps
7. Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby - 46 caps
8. Matt Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 18 caps

16. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 20 caps
17. Rory Sutherland - Worcester Warriors - 16 caps
18. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 42 caps
19. Magnus Bradbury - Edinburgh Rugby - 14 caps
20. Rory Darge - Glasgow Warriors - Uncapped
21. Ben White - London Irish - 1 Cap
22 Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 28 caps
23 Cameron Redpath - Bath Rugby - 1 cap