#1 out of 4
sports1d ago
Scotland drop Pierre Schoeman and Grant Gilchrist for England clash
Thetimes.com and 2 more
- Scotland reveal a forward-forward reshuffle for the Calcutta Cup, dropping Schoeman and Gilchrist while naming McBeth in the starting XV to bring pace and leadership to the pack.
- Nathan McBeth earns his Six Nations start, marking his return to Ireland-era momentum as part of a strengthened pack alongside Turner, Brown and Ritchie.
- George Turner and Jamie Ritchie join the fresh-fronted quartet as Scotland seeks balance between experience and pace to counter England's approach.
- Townsend sticks with the same back-line as in Rome, signaling trust in the back three's kicking game while shuffling the forwards for balance.
- No Edinburgh starter features in the starting XV for the Calcutta Cup, underscoring a shift away from the traditional Edinburgh representation.
- The selection hints Townsend's risk-taking with bench structure, opting for a 5-3 split to maximize backs' impact if the weather allows a faster game.
- England's bid for a first Edinburgh win since 2020 adds urgency to Scotland's tactical reshuffle as Townsend eyes a measured response to England's style.
- The fixture is framed as a high-stakes Six Nations test with a focus on rotational strategy to counter England's approach.
- Townsend's tenure and Scotland's World Cup trajectory are cast under scrutiny in broader coverage of the match, highlighting leadership questions through 2027.
- The lineup aims to combine leadership and technical balance in both the pack and backline, reflecting a deliberate tactical plan against England.
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