Hogg and Skinner in Scotland squad

By Mark Stevens
6/3/20

Exeter Chiefs duo Stuart Hogg and Sam Skinner have both been included in Scotland's squad as Head Coach Gregor Townsend shuffles his pack ahead of Sunday's Six Nations Championship clash against France at BT Murrayfield (3pm).

Townsend has drafted in Fraser Brown, Grant Gilchrist and Nick Haining in three back-row changes for the encounter.

Brown will win his 50th cap as he replaces Stuart McInally at hooker who drops to the bench, Ben Toolis misses out completely, while Magnus Bradbury drops to the bench.

Chiefs forward Skinner is included a replacement for the first time since missing out in the World Cup due to a hamstring injury to provide cover at second-row and Townsend admits his side are out to demolish Les Bleus Grand Slam ambitions.

He said: “This week we face a France team that looks galvanised since the World Cup, with a potential Grand Slam in their sights following impressive wins over England , Italy and Wales.

“We have a lot of respect for their coaching team and the quality of player they possess throughout their squad, many of them just in their early stages of their international careers. We’re going to have to deliver our best rugby of the championship in order to beat a team in such good form.

“France’s victories have been built on an aggressive and well-organised defence, so the precision, decision-making and effort in our attacking game will have to be very good in order to get in behind them this weekend.”

“Coming back to BT Murrayfield is always a very special feeling and the energy generated from the Scotland supporters means a great deal to everyone associated with the squad. Our players are looking forward to revelling in that atmosphere on Sunday."

Hogg - who will win his 76th Test cap - again skippers the side from full-back.

Scotland team to play France at BT Murrayfield Stadium

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, capt 75 caps)
14. Sean Maitland (Saracens, 47 caps)
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester, 17 caps)
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors, 12 caps)
11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh, 20 caps)
10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors, 19 caps)
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, 31 caps)
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh, 6 caps)
2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors, 49 caps)
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, 28 caps)
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) - 11 caps)
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh, 41 caps)
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh, 17 caps)
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh, 31 caps)
8. Nick Haining (Edinburgh, 2 caps)

16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh, 36 caps)
17. Allan Dell (London Irish) - 31 caps)
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh, 37 caps)
19. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
20. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh, 13 caps)
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors, 12 caps)
22. Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors, 27 caps)
23. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors, uncapped)