Six Nations 2022: Jamie Ritchie out for tournament as Scotland make five changes for trip to Wales
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Six Nations 2022: Wales v Scotland |
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Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 12 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer; live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app. |
Injured flanker Jamie Ritchie has been ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations as Scotland make five changes for Saturday's game in Wales.
Ritchie, who has had surgery on the hamstring injury sustained in last weekend's opening win over England, is replaced by Exeter's Sam Skinner.
Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel join hooker Stuart McInally in a new-look and all-Edinburgh front row.
Glasgow's Sione Tuipulotu comes in for his third cap at inside centre.
He is preferred to club-mate Sam Johnson, who has been released to play for Glasgow against Munster on Friday.
"Sione brings a different dimension," said head coach Gregor Townsend. "He's a different player to Sam and Cam [Redpath], the other players that were in consideration for 12.
"He's a very creative player and he can bring others into play. He's also got his long running game."
Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist wins his 50th cap, and is named vice-captain, while Glasgow flanker Rory Darge is in line for his Scotland debut off the bench.
Cam Redpath - having recovered from a serious knee injury - is also among the replacements and set for his first Test action since victory at Twickenham 12 months ago.
Zander Fagerson, George Turner and Rory Sutherland drop to the bench, while captain Stuart Hogg makes his 90th Scotland appearance in Cardiff's Principality Stadium 10 years on from his debut at the same venue.
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Scotland 'better equipped' to end 20-year wait
Townsend says Scotland are now "better equipped" to win in Cardiff for the first time since 2002.
While the Scots triumphed behind closed doors in Llanelli in 2020 - their first away victory over Wales in 18 years - they lost 34-7 on their last Six Nations visit to the capital in 2018.
However, notable wins for Townsend's side in England and France last year have bolstered belief for the latest assignment.
"We've not been there [Cardiff] for four years and a lot has happened in that time," Townsend said. "We've had experiences against top sides home and away and shown resilience in those games.
"We've not won them all, but I believe the tests we had in Paris and Twickenham sets us up for a great challenge this week with a full stadium, one of the best venues in the world."
Townsend expects a reaction from Wales after they began with a 29-7 loss to Ireland in Dublin.
"You're always better in your second game in a Six Nations," he added.
"I felt in the second quarter and parts of the second half they were the equal to Ireland, they created chances, and showed their defence can get turnovers. They have great players throughout the XV."
Scotland: Hogg (c); Graham, Harris, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, Price; Schoeman, McInally, Nel, Gray, Gilchrist, Skinner, Watson, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Turner, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Bradbury, Darge, White, Kinghorn, Redpath.
You can listen to the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast on BBC Sounds and the Rugby Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Scotland and the BBC Sport website and app at 10:00 GMT on Saturday
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