Kinghorn, Smith replace Russell, Hogg for Scotland

Thu, Mar 16, 2023
Other News (AP)

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - Blair Kinghorn and Ollie Smith have replaced injured backs Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg in Scotland's team facing Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Russell hurt knee ligaments and Hogg an ankle last Sunday while losing to Ireland 22-7 at Murrayfield.

Kinghorn has come off the bench in all four previous matches in this championship, and scored a try against Wales.

Smith's second and last test was a start in the one-point loss to Australia in October, when Scotland could feature only local players.

There were two more changes to the run-on side.

Sam Skinner was in for Richie Gray, who popped a rib against Ireland. And Hamish Watson was at openside flanker, pushing captain Jamie Ritchie to the blindside and Matt Fagerson to the reserves.

Munster flyhalf Ben Healy could make his debut off the bench. Healy qualified for Scotland on his mother's side. He's heading to Edinburgh next season.

Also added to the reserves were front-rowers Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, and WP Nel, and midfielder Cameron Redpath.

Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend has a chance to equal its best finish of third in the Six Nations era, and possibly reach second if France is surprised by Wales in Paris.

___

Scotland: Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie (captain), Jonny Gray, Sam Skinner, Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Ali Price, Ben Healy, Cameron Redpath.

___

More AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports