Scotland team to play England: 2025 Six Nations - Finn Russell to start on Saturday
Scotland newsThursday, 20 February 2025 at 13:35
Gregor Townsend has made three changes to the team to face England in the Guinness Men's Six Nations this Saturday 22 February, at Allianz Stadium, kick-off 4.45pm.
Kyle Rowe starts on the wing in place of Darcy Graham who has not been selected following the concussion he sustained in the Ireland game. Rowe, capped 10 times for Scotland, made his debut in 2022 against Argentina and played in four out of five of last year’s Guinness Six Nations matches.
Pierre Schoeman has been restored to the starting 15 with Rory Sutherland selected as a replacement. Jamie Ritchie, who captained Scotland to victory on their last outing at the Allianz Stadium in 2023, has been picked to start, with Matt Fagerson covering the back row from the bench.
In the back three, accompanying Rowe, is the familiar sight of Blair Kinghorn at full-back and Duhan van der Merwe on the wing.
Glasgow Warriors Huw Jones and Tom Jordan retain their berths in the centre with Finn Russell in the starting line-up at fly-half having successfully progressed through the World Rugby protocols following his concussion against Ireland. Ben White is named at scrum-half.
In the forwards, Zander Fagerson will accompany Schoeman in the front row along with Dave Cherry, who makes his third start in a row. Cherry, who will make his 14th appearance for Scotland, debuted against England in the 2021 victory at the Allianz Stadium.
Elsewhere, the forwards remain unchanged with Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray in the second row, with the latter set to make an 80th appearance for Scotland. Blindside flanker Ritchie is joined by co-captain Rory Darge at openside and No 8 Jack Dempsey in the back row.
On the bench alongside Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Will Hurd, Sam Skinner, Gregor Brown, Jamie Dobie and Stafford McDowall all earn selection for the second week in a row.
Scotland team to play England:
15. Blair Kinghorn - Toulouse (57)
14. Kyle Rowe - Glasgow Warriors (10)
13. Huw Jones - Glasgow Warriors (55)
12. Tom Jordan - Glasgow Warriors (5)
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh Rugby (46)
10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain - Bath Rugby (84)
9. Ben White – Toulon (26)
14. Kyle Rowe - Glasgow Warriors (10)
13. Huw Jones - Glasgow Warriors (55)
12. Tom Jordan - Glasgow Warriors (5)
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh Rugby (46)
10. Finn Russell – Co-Captain - Bath Rugby (84)
9. Ben White – Toulon (26)
1. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby (39)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (13)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (72)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (79)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (77)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (56)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain - Glasgow Warriors (27)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (24)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (13)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (72)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (79)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (77)
6. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (56)
7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain - Glasgow Warriors (27)
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (24)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Ewan Ashman - Edinburgh Rugby (24)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (39)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (6)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (36)
20. Gregor Brown - Glasgow Warriors (6)
21. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (52)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (10)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (10)
17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (39)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (6)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (36)
20. Gregor Brown - Glasgow Warriors (6)
21. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (52)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (10)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (10)
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UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations
The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.
This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.
ENGLAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/41 (95.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)
- Bevan Rodd (Scotland) - Parent
- Chandler Cunningham-South (England) - Born in England
- Harry Randall (England) - Born in England
- Marcus Smith (Philippines) - Parent
- Tom Roebuck (Scotland) - Parent
FRANCE
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/42 (92.8%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)
- Dany Priso (Cameroon) - Residency (2008)
- Uini Atonio (New Zealand) - Residency (2014)
- Giorgi Beria (Georgia) - Residency (2002)
- Joshua Brennan (Ireland) - Residency (2005)
- Emmanuel Meafou (New Zealand) - Residency (2023)
- Émilien Gailleton (England) - Parent
IRELAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/36 (83.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)
- Rob Herring (South Africa) - Grandparent
- Finlay Bealham (Australia) - Grandparent
- Cormac Izuchukwu (England) - Parent
- Joe McCarthy (USA) - Parent
- Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)
- Bundee Aki (New Zealand) - Residency (2017)
- Ciarán Frawley (Australia) - Parent
- Mack Hansen (Australia) - Parent
- James Lowe (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)
ITALY
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 21/31 (67.7%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)
- Dino Lamb-Cona (England) - Parent
- Sebastian Negri (Zimbabwe) - Parent
- Ross Vintcent (South Africa) - Grandparent
- Martin Page-Relo (France) - Grandparent
- Stephen Varney (Wales) - Parent
- Juan Ignacio Brex (Argentina) - Grandparent
- Montana Ioane (Australia) - Residency (2020)
- Ange Capuozzo (France) - Parent
- Matt Gallagher (England) - Parent
SCOTLAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 25/42 (58,1.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)
- Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) - Residency (2021)
- Ewan Ashman (Canada) - Parent
- Dylan Richardson (South Africa) - Parent
- Will Hurd (England) - Grandparent
- Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) - Parent
- Ewan Johnson (England) - Parent
- Marshall Sykes (England) - Grandparent
- Josh Bayliss (England) - Grandparent
- Jack Dempsey (Australia) - Grandparent
- Alexander Masibaka (Australia) - Parent
- Ben White (England) - Grandparent
- Fergus Burke (New Zealand) - Grandparent
- Tom Jordan (New Zealand) - Residency (2024)
- Rory Hutchinson (England) - Grandparent
- Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) - Grandparent
- Arron Reed (England) - Parent
- Kyle Rowe (England) - Cumulative Residency
- Duhan van der Merwe (South Africa) - Residency (2020)
WALES
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 26/34 (76.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)
- WillGriff John (England) - Parent
- Henry Thomas (England) - Parent
- Will Rowlands (England) - Parent
- Freddie Thomas (England) - Grandparent
- Christ Tshiunza (DR Congo) - Residency (2015)
- James Botham (Wales) - Born in Wales
- Taulupe Faletau (Tonga) - Residency (2001)
- Ellis Bevan (England) - Parent
- Nick Tompkins (England) - Grandparent
- Blair Murray (New Zealand) - Parent
- Ellis Mee (England) - Parent
Predictor Game:
If you are not sure, simply hit 'Shuffle' and you will be given an automated prediction.
Once you are happy with the selection, hit 'Submit Prediction' to enter.
You will receive points if either/both of your predictions occur during the live match.
POINTS
5 Points: Total Tries Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
A winner will be selected from those with the most points at the end of the game week
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