Cam Redpath and Scotland’s other ‘outstanding attacking players’ urged to express themselves against England

Gregor Townsend has handed a Calcutta Cup debut to Cam Redpath and called on Scotland’s “outstanding attacking players” to express themselves against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Redpath, the Bath inside centre, will team up with stand-off Finn Russell in a bold midfield pairing as the Scots look to take the game to the defending Six Nations champions.

England have opted for the more prosaic talents of Owen Farrell and Ollie Lawrence at 10 and 12, with the former getting the nod ahead of George Ford at fly-half.

Lawrence, making his first Six Nations appearance, will be given the role of midfield battering ram.

The theory is that Redpath and Russell will offer an altogether more subtle point of attack for the visitors.

“That’s the hope and the aim,” said Townsend. “Sometimes weather and opposition defences play a factor in the gameplans they bring. But we certainly want to get the best of the players we have out there.

“We’ve got some outstanding attacking players in our backline and throughout the team, If conditions allow we want them to express themselves. We want to see them bring their strengths into the game.

“Those are unlocking defences on their own but also bringing others into play. That is the aim for this campaign but we’ll see how it goes game to game.”

Cameron Redpath at Edinburgh Airport ahead of Scotland's flight to London for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

The dual-qualified Redpath has been converted to the Scottish cause after being courted by England. He was named in Eddie Jones’ full squad for the tour to South Africa in 2018 but had to withdraw due to injury.

He trained with England as recently as last year and, although he played for their under-20 side, he remains uncapped at Test level.

That will change on Saturday when he pulls on the dark blue jersey his father, Bryan, wore 60 times.

“His skillset is outstanding - very good running game, pass off either hand, and short kicking game,” Townsend said of the Bath player. “He has played a bit at 10. On the defensive side he is a competitor so both those areas – skillset and mindset – as well as how he’s integrated with players on and off the field here. They’ve led us to the strong belief he will go well at Test level.”

Chris Harris offers defensive solidity at outside centre in a side that will be captained by full-back Stuart Hogg.

Hooker George Turner will make his Six Nations debut, winning his 13th cap in the absence of Glasgow team-mate Fraser Brown and Edinburgh’s Stuart McInally, who both have neck injuries. Uncapped Edinburgh hooker David Cherry offers cover from the bench.

Matt Fagerson retains his place at No 8, with Gary Graham of Newcastle named among the replacements and Blade Thomson missing out.

Jamie Ritchie will be alongside Fagerson and Hamish Watson in the back row after recovering from a head knock.

Richie Gray could make his first Scotland appearance in three years off the bench.

Duhan van der Merwe and Sean Maitland are picked on the wings, with the latter replacing Darcy Graham, who is not included in Townsend’s 23-man squad.

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