Scotland bring in Josh Strauss and Alex Dunbar - Ruck

Scotland bring in Josh Strauss and Alex Dunbar

  • Scotland  makes two changes ahead of their Six Nations clash with France at Murrayfield on Sunday.
  • Josh Strauss takes over from club-mate Ryan Wilson
  • The other change sees Dunbar take over from fellow Warrior Mark Bennett
Scotland have brought in Glasgow number eight Josh Strauss and centre Alex Dunbar into their side to face France in Sunday’s Six Nations match

Glasgow Warriors No 8 Josh Strauss and centre Alex Dunbar will start their first match of the 2016 championship, with the occasion marking a first home appearance for Strauss following his debut at the Rugby World Cup last year.

Strauss takes over from club-mate Ryan Wilson, a late replacement for David Denton in the 36-20 win over Italy. Wilson drops to the bench, with Denton out of the match-day 23.

The other change sees Dunbar take over from fellow Warrior Mark Bennett, who is dropped, with Duncan Taylor moving from inside to outside centre.



“I think Duncan Taylor has played very well for us,” said head coach Vern Cotter.

“We’re hoping that the change will pose them a few headaches to prepare for us.

“Alex (Dunbar) hasn’t played for a year and he is very, very keen and will bring the qualities that he has. It will change the way we look and change the way we play.”

Scotland are aiming for a first home Six Nations victory for three years, a run stretching back seven matches since a 12-8 victory over Ireland in February 2013.

They are also targeting a first win over France in a decade, their last victory a 20-16 victory at Murrayfield in 2006.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 John Barclay, 7 John Hardie, 8 Josh Strauss.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Moray Low, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.