Townsend picks and sticks for England clash

Wed, Feb 21, 2018, 9:16 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Scotland are bracing for a big challenge this weekend. Photo: Getty images
Scotland are bracing for a big challenge this weekend. Photo: Getty images

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has kept faith with his players, naming an unchanged team for their Six Nations rugby showdown with England.

Townsend's pack options have been bolstered for Saturday's clash with Edinburgh prop WP Nel and Glasgow lock Tim Swinson selected on the bench after injury.

Glasgow centre Nick Grigg has also been named as a replacement.

Nick Grigg returns to the squad. Photo: Getty ImagesFive of Scotland's backline for the Edinburgh match are British & Irish Lions - Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw.

"The players put a huge amount of effort into our win over France. They found a way to win and kept attacking the opposition up until the final whistle," Townsend said.

"England are the No.2 side in the world and have shown a very good level of consistency in the past couple of seasons.

"Taking on England is going to be a huge challenge and we are well aware that only our very best will be good enough in this fixture."

Scotland hosts England at Murrayfield on Saturday February 24, kicking off at 4:45pm local, Sunday 3:45am AEDT.

TEAM

Scotland to face England

1. Gordon Reid

2. Stuart McInally

3.Simon Berghan

4. Grant Gilchrist

5. Jonny Gray

6. John Barclay

7. Hamish Watson

8. Ryan Wilson

9. Greig Laidlaw

10. Finn Russell

11. Sean Maitland

12. Pete Horne

13. Huw Jones

14. Tommy Seymour

15. Stuart Hogg

Reserves

16. Scott lawson

17. Jamie Bhatti

18. Willem Nel

19. Tim Swinson

20. David Denton

21. Ali Price

22. Nick Grigg

23. Blair Kinghorn

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