Scotland is gearing up for their Six Nations opener against Italy with a lineup featuring some surprising selections. Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry and Bordeaux lock Jonny Gray will make their return to the squad after a two-year absence, while Stafford McDowall steps in for the injured captain Sione Tuipulotu. The match is set to take place at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday, 1 February, with a kick-off time of 14:15 GMT.
Cherry, who last played for Scotland during the 2023 World Cup, will earn his 12th cap, while Gray will make his 78th appearance for the national team. McDowall, who captained Scotland in a match against Portugal last year, will partner with Huw Jones in the center. The team will be co-captained by Finn Russell and Rory Darge, with Ben White starting at scrum-half.
One of the most surprising selections is the inclusion of Cherry, who has not played for Scotland since his injury during the World Cup. His return to the squad ahead of Ewan Ashman has raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike. The decision to start Gray, who has been recovering from a knee injury and has had limited game time recently, adds another layer of uncertainty to Scotland’s lineup.
Tom English, BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer, described Cherry’s selection as a “gobsmacking move” by head coach Gregor Townsend. The decision to start Cherry over other options like Johnny Matthews has left many questioning the rationale behind the choice. With players like Gray and Dempsey also facing questions about their readiness to compete at this level, Scotland’s lineup is under intense scrutiny leading up to the match.
Despite the concerns surrounding some of the selections, Scotland will be looking to start their Six Nations campaign on a strong note against Italy. The team will be relying on the experience of players like Russell, Jones, and van der Merwe to lead the way on the field. With key players like McDowall stepping up in the absence of injured teammates, Scotland will need to come together as a cohesive unit to secure a victory in their opening match.
As the countdown to kick-off begins, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how Scotland’s lineup performs against Italy. With a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talent, the team will be looking to make a statement in their first match of the tournament. Stay tuned for live coverage of the game on BBC One, Radio 5 live, Radio Scotland, and the BBC Sport website and app to see how Scotland fares in their Six Nations opener against Italy.
