Head coach Gregor Townsend has named his Scotland team to play Wales in their 2024 Six Nations opener in Cardiff.
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Scroll down for the full Scotland team to play Wales.
Scotland captain Finn Russell leads the side from stand-off, partnered by Ben White at scrum-half.
The familiar pairing of Sione Tuipulotu (named as a vice-captain) and Huw Jones resume a centre partnership which featured in each of last year’s championship fixtures.
Wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn are selected as part of a back three completed by full-back Kyle Rowe, who is set to win a first international cap since his debut on the 2022 tour to Argentina.
In the pack, Pierre Schoeman starts at loosehead prop with Zander Fagerson at tighthead. George Turner completes a settled front row at hooker.
Richie Gray, competing in an 11th Six Nations championship having made his debut in 2010, packs down in the second row with Scott Cummings.
Scotland’s back row is anchored by number 8 Matt Fagerson, with Luke Crosbie named at blindside flanker and Jamie Ritchie, also a vice-captain, selected at openside.
There are two potential propping debutants among the replacements, with Alec Hepburn (loosehead) and Elliot Millar-Mills (tighthead) primed for a first taste of Scotland duty. Hooker Ewan Ashman and the versatile pair Sam Skinner and Jack Dempsey represent the remaining forward options.
SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY WALES:
15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (1)
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (15)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (43)
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Vice-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (22)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (34)
10. Finn Russell – Captain – Bath Rugby (75)
9. Ben White – Toulon (18)
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (26)
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (40)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (62)
4. Richie Gray – Glasgow Warriors (78)
5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (33)
6. Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (7)
7. Jamie Ritchie – Vice-Captain – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
17. Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)
18. Elliot Millar-Mills – Northampton Saints (uncapped)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (30)
20. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (15)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (26)
22. Ben Healy – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
23. Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (9)
Referee’s confirmed for the weekend:
Referee appointments for this weekend’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations matches, including the England vs Italy referee in Rome on Saturday have been confirmed.
France vs Ireland referee
Orange Velodrome, Marseille
Friday, 2 February, 2024
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Starting his journey as a scrum-half, Dickson showcased his skills at renowned clubs like Bedford Blues and Harlequins, culminating in a heartfelt retirement announcement in 2017. Reflecting on his playing days, he remarked, “I am able to look back at my playing career with great pride. I will cherish the memories that Harlequins has given me, both on and off the field.”
Expressing optimism for the future of his former team under John Kingston’s guidance, Dickson acknowledged the challenge of watching from the sidelines, saying, “It will be difficult to watch on from the peripheries going forward.” Notably, his younger brother, Lee, also left his mark on the rugby field, representing England.
Transitioning seamlessly from player to referee, Dickson embarked on a new chapter by studying to be a referee in 2014, even as he continued his professional playing career. His decision to pursue refereeing over a contract extension with Harlequins reflected a strategic choice for the long term, as he told Career Changers, “When it came to the final year in my contract, I had an offer on the table still from Harlequins to carry on. I thought the long-term-wise refereeing was probably something I wanted to do and pursue.”
Fast forward to 2022, and Karl Dickson is set to make his mark in the prestigious Six Nations tournament as a referee, with his debut match officiating Scotland vs. France. The chairman of the World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee, Graham Mourie, extended congratulations, noting, “I would like to extend my congratulations to Nika (Amashukeli), Damon (Murphy), and Karl, who will be refereeing their first Six Nations matches.”
Looking ahead, Dickson is poised to make his World Cup debut in the 2023 tournament, taking charge of the Wales vs. Portugal clash. Beyond the rugby arena, Dickson, a family man, shares twin daughters with his wife Jocelyn. Their story began on a night out in Clapham, where Dickson crossed paths with fellow player Mike Brown. Not just a rugby enthusiast, Dickson has also worn the hat of a blogger for the parenting website Baba, adding another dimension to his multifaceted persona.