Scotland confirm matchday squad for France clash

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named Saracens centre Duncan Taylor for the first time in two years for the upcoming clash against France in Nice next weekend.

Taylor last played for the Dark Blues during the summer series in 2017 and was sidelined by injuries with Edinburgh's Stuart McInally returning as captain. Centre Rory Hutchinson and lock Scott Cummings are set to make their debut for the Dark Blues from the bench.

Adam Hastings has been designated with the fly-half role and will form half-back partnership with Ali Price. McInally along with Jamie Bhatti and Simon Berghan form the front-row with Ben Toolis and Grant Gilchrist in second-row with vice-captain Stuart Hogg at fullback.

“A huge amount of work has gone in throughout the past two months in order to deliver our best level of performance in the Rugby World Cup," said Townsend.

“These four Tests are a vital part of that process in terms of testing our systems and combinations but also in seeing which players put their best foot forward when it comes to selection for the final 31-man group going to Japan next month.”

Following the game on Saturday, the two teams will once again meet on 24th August at BT Murrayfield Stadium.

BREAKING | Scotland team named to face France in this Saturday's opening Summer Test in Nice (kick-off 8pm BST) – live on Premier Sports #AsOne ?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/HOKOzaA2Do

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 14, 2019