Scottish Rugby

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Cardiff

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Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe are "war ready" to take on Wales as they prepare for their first outing in this Six Nations, according to Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.

The British and Irish Lions backs were left out for the round one defeat by Italy - and last weekend's stunning victory over England.

Both have been restored to the starting line-up for Saturday's showdown at the Principality Stadium and Tuipulotu expects them to show exactly what they can do.

"I'm challenging them to do that because we need that," the centre said.

"Obviously [Jamie] Dobie's injury, the way that he played last week, not just last week, but the form that he's been in this year, those boys know they need to come in and fill those shoes and then go up a level like we know they can.

"But I've been really proud of how they've responded, not only to not playing the first two games but how they've trained this week and prepared this week. They look war ready to me.

"And I'm really excited to play with them and smile on the field with them. And I'm really excited for them to put out their best rugby, which I've got a really good feeling they will."

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend hopes recalled players Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe have an added motivation to impress in Saturday's Six Nations trip to Wales.

The experienced duo, who have over 100 caps between them have, not featured in the first two matches of the campaign. However they have returned to the fold and will start the Cardiff clash.

When asked if the British and Irish Lions pair will have extra incentive to catch the eye in the Welsh capital, Townsend said "I hope so.

"I hope they realise what is required now they have been out of the team and are desperate to not to be in this situation again.

"There is obviously very good competition around our back three right now and they are aware of that because they didn't get selected in the first two games.

"But they are also aware that they will have to play well to be in the mix for the French game."

Edinburgh winger Darcy Graham, who has been capped 52 times, is still waiting for his first start of this Six Nations having been named among the replacements for the third game in a row.

"I think Darcy is unlucky to miss out," Townsend added.

"Darcy has been really good over the last few weeks in training, he has been excellent off the bench but we see him having a big impact at the weekend.'

"I know there will be highly motivated players that are coming back in to the team but there are also players off the bench that are desperate to make an impact."

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's team selection to face Wales this weekend.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Colin: Would have preferred Kyle Rowe at full-back. Blair Kinghorn is overrated and makes too many mistakes when under pressure. Still, here's hoping he has a good one.

Keith: It looks a good team. Scotland has a better strength in depth now. It is a potentially winning team if they perform well. We have to be positive about the team.

Willie: I think it's wise to mix it up a bit, Duhan van der Merwe likes this fixture and combines well with Finn Russell but I wouldn't start him in last two fixtures. Still don't get why Gregor Hiddleston can't get a game over Dave Cherry or George Turner.

Bob: Good to freshen things up. Jack Dempsey is a big miss. Kyle Rowe can feel disappointed, his form deserves a 23 spot. Actually thought Elliot Millar Mills deserved to start with Zander Fagerson on the bench.

David: Still not convinced about Van der Merwe, as teams now know his weakness under the high ball. The game will turn on whether he gives away more points by his defensive frailty than he scores with his attacking power. Personally I would have picked Kyle Rowe or Ollie Smith ahead of him as both are defensively better and are pretty good going forward as well.

Sam: Clearly Gregor Townsend has no fear of the Welsh attack when he can recall two of the most inept defending backs into the starting XV while maintaining a third on the bench. Grant Gilchrist should be nowhere near the 23 after his performance in Rome. Could have brought in Freddie Douglas as Gregor Brown and Josh Bayliss are more than good enough to cover lock.

Neil: A decent looking squad. A shame Craig isn't involved, would loved to have seen him have a crack at his old club mates. Gilchrist has been a great servant for club and country but you have to feel his race had been run by the Italy game. Also it's a shame Douglas isn't on the bench as this feels like a great opportunity for him to step up to a Six Nations test and I think most fans would feel confident that he could with gusto.

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his team to face Wales on Saturday.

There are five changes from the team that beat England, as British and Irish Lions duo Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe return.

Here are the main points from Townsend's news conference:

• Townsend was impressed with Kinghorn's performance for Toulouse at the weekend and insists he's "recovered quickly" while Van der Merwe has "trained really well".

• As a result, the Scotland staff expect the Edinburgh winger "to play his best rugby" and are keen to "make sure he's got opportunities to run" because that's when they feel he plays his best rugby.

• Townsend stresses there will be "a freshness around both of them" as well as "a huge determination to play well".

• On the challenge of Wales, the Scotland boss expects their opponents "will be highly motivated" and for them to play with "a lot of passion".

• Townsend knows it will be a noisy atmosphere at the Principality Stadium and is preparing for the challenge of Wales playing their best rugby.

• He's hoping his side can "deal with Wales' set piece threats" and wants his bench players to make an impact after again opting for a five-three split.

• After a week training in Spain, Townsend is urging his side to "play with a lot of energy", while saying Vitamin D is "good for the soul".

• After the victory over England, Townsend says they have to back it up and believes his players are "really keen to go again".

• On the suggestion Scotland will be heading to Wales as favourites, Townsend says: "I'm sure last week a lot of people thought England were clear favourites" and says predictions are irrelevant - "it's what you do in those 80 minutes."

• On coming up against former Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, Townsend says "we think very fondly of Steve, he's been a big influence on our players" and expects to catch up over a beer after the game, regardless of the result.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townend has named Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe in the backs for Saturday's Six Nations meeting with Wales in Cardiff.

Kinghorn's return at full-back and Van der Merwe's place on the wing are two of five changes made by Townsend following last Saturday's victory in the Calcutta Cup.

In the pack, Dave Cherry is in at hooker, Max Williamson takes up a place in the second row and Matt Fagerson joins the back row.

The Scots opened with a narrow loss in Italy before a convincing win over England last weekend.

Full-back Tom Jordan and hooker George Turner drop to the bench, while Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie miss out.

Share your views here.

Scotland: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; McBeth, Cherry, Z. Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, Brown, Darge, M. Fagerson.

Replacements: Turner, Schoeman, Millar Mills, Gilchrist, Bayliss, Horne, Jordan, Graham.

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BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Lyall asked: Given how unbeatable France are looking, if Scotland can win in Ireland and get that monkey off their back, is this a successful championship regardless of final position?

Tom answered: If Scotland beat Wales, give an incredible France team a proper game and then beat Ireland then that, for me, is a successful season for sure. The Italy game is gone and nothing can be done about it now. Your scenario would be give Scotland a Triple Crown (old school concept, I know, but it's still valuable in my view). A win over Ireland would be a significant step forward, if it happens.

Stuart asked: Can we hope for some of the younger players to get a chance during the remaining games in the Six Nations?

Tom answered: Well, Liam McConnell is injured. Freddy Douglas? That's difficult with Rory Darge playing the way he did against England. Would you have a specialist seven on the bench? Probably not. Gregor Hiddleston? Don't think so. He appears to be fourth in the pecking order, which is unfair I think.

There are young ones in there already, of course. Max Williamson is only 23, Jamie Dobie and Gregor Brown are 24. Is 24 still considered young?

Roddy asked: What a response from this team. Wondering if the Italy loss may make Scotland a stronger team moving forward?

Tom answered: They have to use it as a positive, for sure. A positive in the sense that they never want to feel like that again. If this is the catalyst, then it was a price worth paying. We've been here before, of course. It has to be different this time.

Adam asked: Saturday's result was about as typical as a Scotland performance you can get and was because the players did it for Gregor Townsend. But why can't Scotland find that same spark in games outside of the Calcutta Cup?

Tom answered: Spark, accuracy, self-belief, ruthlessness - call it what you will - they have it against England and they don't have nearly enough of it in other games. I don't think it's a passion thing. Scotland always have passion for the fight. It's just their psychology is weak sometimes. Also, England would want to look themselves in the mirror and ask why do they keep losing this game. Maybe it says more about England than it says about Scotland. Whatever the truth of all of this, a line has to be drawn in the sand now. Scotland cannot go back to what they were in Rome - an awful lineout, butchered try-scoring chances, damaging ill-discipline. They're better than that and they need to show it consistently, not just for 40 or 50 minutes. Or no minutes.

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions.

Graeme asked: Tom Jordan relatively anonymous at full back. Should Kyle Rowe or Ollie Smith come in to improve attacking options while offering very sound defensive qualities?

Tom answered: A bit harsh on Tom Jordan, I think. For me, he put in a very mature performance. He didn't produce fireworks, but he didn't need to. He was rock solid. I'm a big fan of Kyle Rowe and Ollie Smith but I'd stick with Jordan, even though 15 is probably his third-best position.

Nicholas asked: I was first to chastise Gregor Townsend post the Italy game but have we underestimated the role the conditions played in that result? Do we now have the depth of squad to follow up against Wales?

Tom answered: No, I don't think we underestimated the conditions. Italy did most of their damage very early on when the weather was reasonable. Scotland had chances to score in that period as well and their lineout started to collapse. That had nothing to do with the rain. It was pretty dry at that point. So, through their weak backfield defence and their dodgy lineout, they gave themselves a mountain to climb, which they had to do in the rain. That was always going to be hard.

Jim asked: With Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie ruled out of the next match through injury, who would you bring in as replacements? And are there any other changes that you think Townsend will make for the Wales game - perhaps in the front row after two shaky performances?

Tom answered: I'd resist the understandable temptation to move Gregor Brown back to blindside and I'd pick Josh Bayliss at six with Matt Fagerson moving over to No 8. On the left wing I'd go with Darcy Graham. I'd have Kyle Rowe or Blair Kinghorn on the bench to replace Darcy. I'd leave the front row alone. Zander Fagerson has struggled but the big man has massive credit in the bank. He'll come good again very soon.

Allan asked: Should we go with a 6-2 split on the bench, and do we have a player like Henry Pollock who could cover both back row forward positions and on the wing?

Tom answered: There aren't many Henry Pollocks or Ben Earls out there, but I get your point. There is a risk going 6-2 if your backline suffers injuries or cards and I can understand why Gregor Townsend went 5-3 against England. I can't see him changing that. With Jamie Ritchie and Jack Dempsey out, he needs two new back-rows. Josh Bayliss at six with Matt Fagerson replacing Dempsey at eight? Then, it could be Magnus Bradbury on the bench. Could Bradbury or Bayliss be that Pollock-type? Maybe.

Tom English and Andy Burke look back on Scotland's Calcutta Cup win and look forward to their upcoming Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff.

Was the criticism of Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend too harsh? Are Scotland on an upwards curve after a majestic performance against England?

What impact will the loss of Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie have on Scotland's Championship hopes?

Listen here.

Do you have any burning questions on Scottish rugby for our experts, Tom English and Andy Burke, as Gregor Townsend's side retained the Calcutta Cup for the fifth time in the past six years?

Send in your questions via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

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Edinburgh's backs and attack coach Scott Mathie will leave the URC club at the end of the season, the latest exit in part of a backroom staff shake-up.

The imminent departure of defence coach Michael Todd, skills coach Rob Chrystie and head of strength & conditioning Mark Robertson was announced earlier this month.

That leaves head coach Sean Everitt, who signed a new contract earlier in the season, with just forwards coach Stevie Lawrie currently in place for next season.

Mathie joined Edinburgh in 2024 but their maligned attack has misfired over the last two seasons, finishing seventh last season and currently sitting down in 13th in the league standings.

"This announcement follows the initial phase of changes being made by Head Coach Sean Everitt to the club's coaching, medical, and strength and conditioning departments as part of a wider reassessment of its coaching and performance functions," the capital club said in a statement.

"The club remains in discussions with other members of its coaching and performance staff, with a full update to be provided once this process has been completed."

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Scotland scrum-half Ben White admitted he and his teammates are aware of the noise around head coach Gregor Townsend, but called him an "amazing coach to play for" after the victory over England.

Plenty were unhappy with Townsend's position following the opening Six Nations loss to Italy but Scotland roared back to secure a fifth Calcutta Cup victory in six years.

Like Townsend, White has a superb record in these fixtures and scored another try against the Auld Enemy - who he played for at Under-20 level.

"Obviously we're aware of everything that goes on outside of the environment," White said. "People are passionate and when you're playing for your country, people just want wins and success, and that's what we want as well.

"It's nothing personal, it's part of the privilege of playing for your country. With how tough the week had been, I think to put on that performance it made it extra sweet.

"I just love it, that's why I play rugby, to see the crowd, the atmosphere, people smiling and cheering and staying after the game and enjoying it with their kids.

"Gregor is proud of the performance that we put in, the way we played, the charisma we showed. He's awesome, he's an amazing coach to play for because he gives us so much confidence in what we do.

"Obviously he has a lot of detailed stuff in how we play, but he gives us courage and belief in the style of rugby that we play, so that's awesome to be a part of."

Incredibly after that dismal loss to Italy in the first week, Scotland now sit second behind France in the standings. They face Wales next Saturday in Cardiff, looking to make it two wins from three.

"The championship's tough, there's no rest, there's no bye [fallow] week this year like there has been in the past," said White. "We need to recover well, train hard and not take the foot off the gas.

"Getting five points at home was huge for us and also just the momentum that can give us going forward. We go to Wales and it's an opportunity for us but we know we're going to have to play really well.

"We go there with confidence but if we don't play to the best of our abilities and we're not clinical and accurate, they're a side that can punish us."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland's Calcutta Cup magic

What is it about the Calcutta Cup that elevates Scotland to such lofty heights?

The chat from the likes of ex-England international Courtney Lawes in the build-up was how Scotland only get up for playing their oldest rivals, but getting up for it only takes you so far.

Scotland produce an accuracy, creativity and intelligence to their play in these games that England struggle to handle.

Pin sharp in attack and towering in defence, the Scots showed the best of themselves just when they needed it most.

Finn lights it up against England… again!

Is there a more glorious sight in rugby that Finn Russell in the sort of mood he was against England?

It's a fixture the magician has left his prints all over these past few years. In 2018 we saw "The Pass of the Century" and on Saturday we saw "The Flick of the Century" to set-up Huw Jones for his first try.

That was the flash stuff, but it was Russell's exceptional rugby mind that was the difference as he orchestrated the Scotland attack to devastating effect.

Kyle Steyn was a deserving player of the match after a magnificent display from the Glasgow captain, but Russell was central to another epic Calcutta Cup victory.

Townsend's masterplan

Gregor Townsend was knocked from pillar to post by fans and media alike in the wake of Scotland's round one defeat to Italy in Rome.

As he took the flak for that flat Scottish performance at the Stadio Olimpico, so the head coach should take the credit for a game plan to pick England apart that was executed to perfection.

Scotland played the smarter rugby, won the aerial battle, disrupted England at the breakdown, and despite a scrum that was leaking penalties, they always found a way to wrestle the momentum back in their favour.

Many of Townsend's selections were questioned – sticking with the same back three that struggled in Rome, again leaving Blair Kinghorn out the 23, going with a 5/3 bench against England's 6/2 – but all his big calls paid off.

Five Calcutta Cups in six years is a truly astonishing record, and now Townsend needs his side to back it up against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.

We asked you Scotland fans for your views on the 31-20 win over England, which secured Gregor Townsend's side another Calcutta Cup. Here's a taste of your views...

Campbell: Don't get over-excited. We can always produce performances like this one. Can we win next week? Then win at least one more against France or Ireland? If not, it's the same flaky mediocrity as before. We need consistency to progress.

Paul: Scotland can pat themselves on the back for a good performance, but they need to find methods to win consistently. This win was handed to us by English errors. However, pressure causes errors, and other Six Nations teams will note how England struggled.

Heather: I still believe time is up for Gregor Townsend. One win does not change what happened last week against Italy, or Argentina, or New Zealand. All Scotland fans know that. Change needs to happen - either now, or at the end of the Six Nations.

Kevin: Scotland have to go Wales next week and be absolutely ruthless. There is no point in having this group of players if they shine on days like that, but wither in other games. That was all about aggression and forcing England into mistakes though sheer stubbornness. It has to be the same, or better next week.

Andrew: Best performance for years and well deserved win over a limited and over-hyped England. Other than the scrum, Scotland dominated every phase of play and were probably worth more than the final score. We need to show next week that this wasn't a one-off. No fan of Townsend but he and players deserve massive credit for today.

Stuart: To a man, they were brilliant. Little moments of determination showed through. Finn Russell spotting the space to attack three times early on. Scott Cummings working like a demon to defend the maul. Matt Fagerson picking off the drop goal when England were definitely in the ascendency.

It wasn't just the moments though. Scotland controlled the vast majority of the game, refused to get drawn into England's power game and imposed their own game plan. Some big performances from many players who proved what they can really do.

I still think there needs to be change and one big performance doesn't change the overall narrative but congratulations to all the players and coaches for the big reaction.

Rosh: Good win and performance but take the SRU-tinted spectacles off. The win just papers over the cracks. Results and performances like the ones we consistently produce against England are never replicated that often.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rory Darge says Scotland must get themselves into the same mindset they had against England when they face Wales in Cardiff next weekend.

The Glasgow Warriors flanker was one of a host of Scots who delivered outstanding performances as Gregor Townsend's men bounced back from the disappointment of defeat by Italy to end England's 12-match winning run.

Having breathed new life into their Six Nations campaign, Scotland must maintain the lofty standards they set at Murrayfield when they head for the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

"I guess it's looking at what worked for us, how we got into this sort of place mentally and emotionally, doing what we can to replicate that performance," Darge said.

"We'll do the same process that you normally do, review this game. It was absolutely brilliant, but there will be bits of the game that we can work on.

"It's important to look at that, regardless of win or loss, because you ultimately want to keep growing as a team.

"A point we spoke about earlier in the week is, off the back of Italy, we can do all the talking and meetings that we want, but it is about actions. I think it was the actions [against England] that were really pleasing. We just want to carry that on."