France v Scotland: Gregor Townsend rings changes for Paris

Scotland have made four personnel changes and one positional switch for Friday night’s Six Nations finale against France in Paris.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNSScotland coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS

In the absence of Sean Maitland, captain Stuart Hogg reverts to his more familiar position of full-back.

Saracens back Maitland was excluded from the Scotland squad after coach Gregor Townsend was told he could pick only five English-based players under the terms of the player release agreement with PRL, the umbrella group that represents England’s top clubs.

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Hogg played at stand-off in the 52-10 win over Italy on Saturday but Finn Russell returns at 10 against France after missing last weekend with a head knock.

Ali Price, left, will start at scrum-half against France, while Stuart Hogg will revert to full-back.Ali Price, left, will start at scrum-half against France, while Stuart Hogg will revert to full-back.
Ali Price, left, will start at scrum-half against France, while Stuart Hogg will revert to full-back.

He will partnered at half-back by Ali Price who returns to the side after being used as a sub against Italy. Scott Steele drops to the bench.

There is also a change at outside centre, with Chris Harris coming in for Huw Jones. Jones has scored tries in his last two matches but is named as a replacement against France.

There is one change in the pack, with George Turner picked ahead of Dave Cherry at hooker, despite the latter’s two tries against Italy. Cherry is on the bench.

Adam Hastings is also among the replacements after missing the Italy match through suspension.

Scotland team (v France, Stade de France, Friday, 8pm, UK time)

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) 84 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) - 18 caps

13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 27 caps

12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) - 17 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) - 9 caps

10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) VICE CAPTAIN – 54 caps

9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 15 caps

2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps

3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps

4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 11 caps

5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 44 caps

6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) VICE CAPTAIN – 26 caps

7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 40 caps

8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

Substitutes

16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 4 caps

17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps

18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 30 caps

19. Alex Craig (Gloucester) – 1 cap

20. Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 7 caps

21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 4 caps

22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps

23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 30 caps

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