Chiefs quartet in Scotland squad

By Mark Stevens
3/12/20

Exeter Chiefs star Stuart Hogg is in line to win his 80th Scotland cap, after he was named today to lead his side into their final Autumn Nations Cup clash against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (2:15pm).

Hogg will line-up at full back in a Scotland match-day squad, which also includes Exeter club-mates Jonny Gray, Sam Skinner and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

The 28-year-old’s inclusion and subsequent Test cap will move him to seventh on the all-time list of appearances, just two behind head coach Gregor Townsend, who has made six changes to his side.

Edinburgh fly-half Jaco van de Walt will make his Scotland debut, whilst there are also starts for Duncan Taylor - his first since the defeat of Russia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup - winger Darcy Graham, flanker Blade Thomson and props Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson

Glasgow back Huw Jones and London Irish flanker Blair Cowan are set to make their first appearances of the autumn campaign from the bench, whilewinger Sean Maitland will win his 50th cap should he be called upon to feature.

Head Coach Townsend, who saw his side lose their last fixture to France 22-15, said: “We’ve been together for the past two months and from a coaching perspective it has been a real joy seeing the group come together and work so hard to improve both individually and collectively. We are looking forward to facing Ireland in what will be an opportunity to continue our progress away from home once again.

“We have been impressed with Jaco over the time he has trained with us and we’re excited to see him take the next step into international test match rugby. It will be a tough challenge over in Ireland, given the quality of our opposition and how they will be looking to end 2020 on a positive note.

“Being able to bring back Rory Sutherland after his recent injury is a real boost, and it’s great to involve Blair and Huw for the first time this season. If they get on the field, 39 players will have had opportunities to play over the past 5 games, which underlines the current player depth throughout Scottish rugby and shows the competition there is for places now in this Scotland team.”

SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, capt) – 79 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 14 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 22 caps
12. Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 27 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
10. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 0 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 36 caps
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 53 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 33 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – 60 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 8 caps
7. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 22 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps

Replacements
16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 40 caps
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 39 caps
19. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 9 caps
20. Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 17 caps
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Exeter Chiefs) – 13 caps
22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 49 caps