The five biggest selection decisions facing Gregor Townsend ahead of Scotland vs New Zealand

Gregor Townsend will name his Scotland starting XV and replacements to take on New Zealand in the Nations Championship on Thursday.

There are some big selection calls facing the national team boss across the park from the front row all the way to full-back. As the Scots chase a historic first ever Test match win against the All Blacks, here are what we think will be the five biggest calls for the line-up:

Hooker - Ashman vs Hiddleston

The first big selection choice comes in the number two jersey. If you’ve been following the URC so far this season you’ll be well aware that Glasgow Warriors have developed a dominant maul that has resulted in several tries as they overwhelm their opponents defensive efforts time and again.

A big call to be made at hooker with Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen both being key to Glasgow's excellent set piece this season but Ashman brings more in the loose and can be a threat out wide which suits Scotland's style of play well so he's likely to get the nod | SNS Group / SRU

Those set pieces start and most often end with the hooker, particularly Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen who have proven themselves as Franco Smith’s strongest options. Hiddleston is the more senior of the two and would be the more likely to start if Townsend is looking to copy and paste the powerful play from the Scotstoun outfit.

However, it is Ewan Ashman who is currently viewed as Scotland’s first choice in the position. It’s fair to say that Hiddleston has proven more steady at the set piece but the Edinburgh man offers far more in the loose.

Ashman, having come up as a flanker in his youth, effectively gives the national team an extra back row forward in open play. He’s easily the most dynamic of their options and often finds himself attacking in the wide channels. Ultimately, if Scotland want to play to their strengths, he is the better starting option.

Lock - Brown vs Gray

Scott Cummings is nailed on to be one of the starting locks but in terms of who partners him there’s a choice to be made. Max Williamson and Gregor Brown both bring the Glasgow familiarity to a potential pairing which does give them an edge.

However, Jonny Gray’s 83 caps of Test level experience plus the fact he is back playing regular minutes in the Top 14 with new club Perpignan puts him in contention. He’s got the size and the workrate to be a useful tool against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Brown has that versatility of being able to cover second and back row well which does lend itself naturally to a place amongst the replacements. All that being said, it does feel like Brown might be the most likely option as he brings that dynamism that suits Scotland’s style well, just like Ashman.

He’s by far the most mobile of Scotland’s lock options and can just as easily slot into the back row with Gray coming off the bench in the second half if needed. In terms of his international form he has also been a top performer for Scotland in recent matches so very much deserves to be in the first XV.

Jamie Dobie is so useful to Scotland due to his versatility that it's easy to overlook just how good he has been playing as a winger for Glasgow this season. | SNS Group

Winger - Dobie vs Graham

Speaking of versatility and players who arguably lend themselves to a place on the bench rather than in the starting line-up, that brings us nicely on to Jamie Dobie. His ability to cover both nine and winger so well gives Townsend so many options when it comes to the bench and can create a spot for a game breaking type player like Huw Jones or Kyle Rowe that might otherwise miss out.

Kyle Steyn starts on one wing and record try scorer Darcy Graham would take the other spot with Dobie on the bench. However, the Invernisian’s form for Glasgow this season simply can’t be ignored.

Regardless of versatility he has been the star wide man of the URC so far in the 2026/27 campaign and that really only means one thing, you have to start him on the wing. Just like Brown, he can easily move positions mid match if it was required. That does mean it would be hard to find a space anywhere in the 23-man selection for Graham but if it’s a straight shoot-out between the two it makes sense to pick the one in better form.

Outside centre - Hutchinson vs Jones vs McDowall

We’re now coming on to the two toughest calls, starting with the 13 jersey. Huw Jones’ record for Scotland speaks for itself and the danger he can cause with ball in hand is unrivalled by any of his centre teammates.

Then you have Stafford McDowall, who has such a brilliant partnership with captain Sione Tuipulotu which has transitioned well from Scotstoun to the national team. It’s far from unlikely that he could get the nod for this big game.

Finally there’s Rory Hutchinson who was impressive in the Summer against Argentina and South Africa. He complemented Finn Russell and Tuipulotu well as a second distributor in midfield which allowed those two to cause even more issues to the opposition defences.

That quality also plays to Scotland’s strength out wide if they can get the ball to Steyn, Dobie or Graham early and in space. It’s for that reason that the Northampton Saints man feels the likely pick.

Full back - Kinghorn or Rowe

Finally comes the 15 jersey and that really is a straight choice between form and previous accomplishments. Blair Kinghorn has been a key figure in the Scotland back line for some time but Kyle Rowe, like Hutchinson, was excellent in the summer.

It’s unbelievably harsh on the Glasgow man but he may not even make the match day squad if he doesn’t start with Tom Jordan - the go to utility back for the bench. Realistically, you feel it will be Kinghorn due to his experience, defensive edge and height with the All Blacks showing their threat from hanging kicks in the air.

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