Gregor Townsend confirms his Scotland starting XV and bench; an Edinburgh winger is recalled and replacements are named to cover injured players ahead of Wales
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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has published his matchday squad for the upcoming Six Nations fixture in Cardiff, reintroducing an Edinburgh winger into contention and detailing the bench that will cover several recent injuries. The announcement, made public following training assessments, sets out a starting XV and a set of replacements intended to balance continuity with fresh options.
In making his selection, Townsend faced the dual task of preserving a settled backline while adjusting the pack to compensate for physical setbacks. The chosen squad reflects both tactical priorities for the clash with Wales and contingency planning for players carrying knocks or returning to form.
Key changes and the returning Edinburgh winger
The headline from Townsend’s selection is the recall of an Edinburgh winger to the matchday squad, a move that restores width and pace to Scotland’s back division. While the backline remains largely familiar to supporters, this addition aims to inject finishing threat and aerial competition out wide.
The decision suggests Townsend values a blend of experience and club form when assembling attacking options.
Townsend opted to keep the starting backline broadly unchanged, a sign of faith in the combinations that have been building through the championship. However, the bench composition shows thoughtful balance: forwards who can reinforce set-piece work and backs who offer creative cover in the event of an injury or tactical reshuffle during the game.
Front-row and pack adjustments after injuries
Scotland’s selection was influenced by recent injury news in the forward pack. Hooker Ewan Ashman has been ruled out with a neck injury, prompting Townsend to promote a like-for-like option to the starting role. That move cascaded through the replacements, with cover brought onto the bench to ensure depth across front-row and lineout duties.
One consequence of Ashman’s absence was the elevation of an experienced hooker to the starting XV, while an available squad member with professional experience in France was named among the substitutes to provide experienced cover. Townsend’s choices underline the importance he places on having reliable options to maintain set-piece stability and scrum presence throughout the match.
Second-row and loose forward considerations
Changes in the second-row reflect a strategy to marry physicality with lineout efficiency. Where club injuries or form concerns required adjustments, Townsend brought in players experienced in the international environment. The back five of the pack aims to secure platform ball and offer mobility around the ruck.
At blindside, the coach returned to a seasoned campaigner, trusting leadership and tackling intensity to shape defensive patterns. The flanker unit pairs a relentless breakdown operator with a ball-carrying presence to balance turnover hunting with forward momentum.
Bench structure and tactical flexibility
The replacements list was assembled to deliver maximum flexibility across phases. It includes specialist front-row cover, lineout-capable locks, and dynamic backline options who can influence tempo late in the match. Having a mix of set-piece technicians and strike runners on the bench reflects Townsend’s intent to be able to respond to differing match scenarios.
Notably, the bench features players who can slot into multiple positions: tighthead and loosehead cover, an offloading back-row option, and backs who can operate across the midfield and wing channels. This versatility allows for reactive substitutions based on game flow, injuries, or the need to chase scoreboard changes.
Selection context and recent squad decisions
The decision to recall an Edinburgh winger follows a period in which Edinburgh players’ representation in starting lineups has varied. In a previous Calcutta Cup selection, Townsend chose not to include Edinburgh players in the starting XV, instead making multiple changes in the pack after a challenging opener. Those earlier moves included promoting a hooker from club competition and integrating club-based front-row reinforcements onto the bench.
That earlier reshuffle saw a mix of Glasgow Warriors, club-based internationals and returning professionals from abroad used to stabilise the team. The current squad announcement shows continuity in some areas while addressing the specific absences caused by injury, demonstrating Townsend’s flexible approach to squad management.
What to expect in Cardiff
Against Wales, Scotland will aim to combine set-piece solidity with wider attacking options supplied by the recalled winger and the experienced midfield. Townsend’s selection suggests a game plan built on controlling possession, securing lineout ball and exploiting space on the flanks when opportunities arise.
Ultimately, the mix of an unchanged starting backline and a carefully composed bench reflects a pragmatic approach: keep what works, replace where necessary, and retain adaptability. With the squad confirmed, attention now turns to match day execution and whether the selected changes will deliver the platform Townsend expects in Cardiff.
