Gregor Townsend has named his Scotland team to play Wales with Darcy Graham returning to the starting XV at Murrayfield.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Scroll down for the Scotland team to play Wales.
Graham missed the previous match, against England, after being concussed in the Ireland match, but will start this weekend against a nation he has fond memories of facing, having made his debut in Wales, in 2018, and scoring his first try against them the following year.
Fresh from his Player of the Match performance in the tight loss to England, Duhan van der Merwe starts on the opposite wing.
Huw Jones and Tom Jordan make up the centre partnership for the third game in a row with Blair Kinghorn starting at full-back.
Try scorer at Twickenham, Ben White, who has scored in each of Scotland’s opening three championship fixtures, will start alongside Finn Russell.
There are no changes to the forward pack for the visit of Wales, who ran Ireland close in their last outing.
Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry and Zander Fagerson again comprise the front row, having done likewise against England and Italy, with Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist the pairing in the second row once more.
In the back row, Jamie Ritchie is again named at blindside flanker, with co-captain Rory Darge on the openside and Jack Dempsey anchoring the scrum at No 8.
Rory Sutherland has recovered from the back injury that ruled him out of the previous round and is named on the bench alongside fellow front-rowers Ewan Ashman and Will Hurd, both of whom have come on in each game of the championship so far.
Rory Sutherland has recovered from the back injury that ruled him out of the previous round and is named on the bench alongside fellow front-rowers Ewan Ashman and Will Hurd, both of whom have come on in each game of the championship so far.
Forwards Gregor Brown and Matt Fagerson join scrum-half George Horne, centre Stafford McDowall and Kyle Rowe, who will cover the back three, to make up a 5-3 split on the bench.
Scotland team to play Wales:
15. Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (58)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (44)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (56)
12. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (6)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (47)
10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (85)
9. Ben White – Toulon (27)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (44)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (56)
12. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (6)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (47)
10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain – Bath Rugby (85)
9. Ben White – Toulon (27)
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (40)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (14)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (73)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (80)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (78)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (57)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (28)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (25)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (14)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (73)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (80)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (78)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (57)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (28)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (25)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (25)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (39)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (7)
19. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (7)
20. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (53)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (35)
22. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (11)
23. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (11)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (39)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (7)
19. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (7)
20. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (53)
21. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (35)
22. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (11)
23. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (11)
DITORS PICKS:
- ‘My rugby career was ended by Maro Itoje, I now have a completely new career’
- Bad News for Rugby Fans: 2027 World Cup Heading Behind a Paywall
- Lions fly-half rules himself out of Andy Farrell’s 2025 tour selection
- Fiji set to face England in a thrilling lineup of four blockbuster fixtures
- Leaked England selection suggests Marcus Smith has been DROPPED
Bookies Predict the Lions XV to Face Australia – Two England Players Start
Bookmakers have released their predictions for the British & Irish Lions' starting XV to face Australia in the 2025 tour, highlighting a squad dominated by Irish talent and featuring only one English starter.
The anticipated lineup, along with the latest odds for each position, is as follows:
Forwards
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/2
A converted loosehead prop who started his career as a tighthead, Porter is a cornerstone of Ireland’s pack with his powerful scrummaging and relentless work rate around the pitch.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 3/10
One of the most dynamic hookers in world rugby, Sheehan offers explosive ball-carrying ability and strong set-piece play. He has become a key figure in Ireland’s recent successes.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 8/13
Arguably the best tighthead prop in the game, Furlong is known for his scrummaging dominance and remarkable skills in open play, often moving like a back despite his size.
4. Maro Itoje (England) – 1/5
The only Englishman in the starting XV, Itoje is a world-class lock with exceptional athleticism, lineout expertise, and a knack for disrupting opposition attacks. A Lions veteran, he’ll be vital for the tour.
5. Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 1/2
A rising star in Irish rugby, McCarthy has made a huge impact with his physicality and work rate in Leinster’s second row. He’s quickly becoming a dominant force in European rugby.
6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
The 2022 World Player of the Year, Van der Flier is an outstanding openside flanker with relentless tackling, breakdown skills, and an ability to pop up in crucial moments.
7. Ben Earl (England) – 4/9
England’s standout forward in recent tournaments, Earl’s dynamic ball-carrying, high work rate, and speed make him a perfect fit for the Lions’ back row.
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/4
One of the best No.8s in world rugby, Doris combines intelligence, strength, and leadership. His ball-carrying ability and defensive prowess make him an essential selection.
Backs
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – 1/3
Originally from New Zealand, Gibson-Park has revolutionized Ireland’s attack with his fast tempo and crisp distribution. His quick decision-making will be key in Australia.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/4
A mercurial fly-half known for his creativity, pinpoint kicking, and unpredictable attacking play, Russell is the X-factor the Lions will need to unlock Australia’s defence.
11. James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
A powerful winger with a cannon of a left boot, Lowe has been a game-changer for Ireland, providing pace, physicality, and superb finishing ability.
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
One of the most destructive centres in world rugby, Aki blends power with slick handling and defensive solidity. His recent form makes him a nailed-on Lions starter.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland) – 1/2
A classy centre with a sharp rugby brain, Jones is known for his attacking lines, pace, and ability to break defences. He has returned to top form for Scotland.
14. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
A giant winger with terrifying pace and strength, Van der Merwe has been a try-scoring machine for Scotland and was one of the stars of the 2021 Lions tour.
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
One of the most consistent full-backs in world rugby, Keenan is rock solid under the high ball, defensively sound, and a dangerous attacking threat.
This projection underscores Ireland's strong presence, with ten players expected to start, reflecting their recent dominance in international rugby. Scotland contributes three players, notably in key backline positions, while England's representation is limited to Maro Itoje in the forwards.
The selection process for the Lions is always a topic of intense debate, influenced by players' form, fitness, and performances in the lead-up to the tour. As the 2025 tour approaches, these odds may shift, especially with upcoming international fixtures and domestic competitions providing players with opportunities to stake their claims.
Note: The odds presented are based on current bookmaker predictions and are subject to change as the tour date nears.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading