Scotland name new-look second row for crunch Six Nations clash against Ireland

Scotland have named Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist as their new-look second row, with Zander Fagerson restored at prop for Saturday’s crunch Guinness Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.

Gregor Townsend’s side can seal their first Six Nations title in their final match with victory over Ireland, if France slip up against England in Paris later in the day, while the Triple Crown is also up for grabs.

Head coach Townsend has made three changes, two of them forced as second rows Gregor Brown (calf) and Scott Cummings (hamstring) have been ruled out through injury.

Edinburgh lock Gilchrist, 35, is set to win his 88th cap for his country, becoming Scotland’s all-time record appearance-maker for a second row.

Front row Fagerson replaces D’Arcy Rae at tighthead, while the back row of Glasgow trio Matt Fagerson, vice-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey remains unchanged.

Wing Darcy Graham will resume in an unchanged back line after becoming Scotland’s all-time leading try-scorer with a brace in last week’s thrilling 50-40 win against France.

Scotland team: Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Ben White (Toulon); Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), George Turner (Harlequins), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Max Williamson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow).

Replacements: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), D’Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Alex Craig (Glasgow), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Bristol).