Former Racing 92 player Finn Russell, now with Bath, has been designated as the team’s captain for the first time in the upcoming international match against France at Murrayfield Stadium, filling in for Jamie Ritchie who will be sidelined due to a minor injury.
Only Darcy Graham and Matt Fagerson from the triumphant squad against Italy last weekend have retained their starting positions. Fagerson will take on the blindside flanker role while Jack Dempsey fills in at number eight.
The least experienced player on the pitch will be hooker Ewan Ashman as the squad prepares to confront the hosts of the World Cup.
Scotland ‘Must Prove Their Worth’ at the World Cup – Schoeman
The second of four warm-up games before the tournament will see head coach Gregor Townsend bring back most of the primary players who made an impact during the Six Nations. Fly-half Russell will be in partnership with scrum-half Ben White, while Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu will return to their centre partnership.
Blair Kinghorn is set to replace Ollie Smith at full-back as Scotland continues the quest to find a successor for the now-retired Stuart Hogg.
Smith will serve as one of the substitutes, along with Rory Darge, who was the team’s captain during the 25-13 victory over Italy.
Russell’s upgrade to captaincy occurs less than a year after Townsend initially excluded the 30-year-old from the squad for the 2022 autumn series. However, his performances against New Zealand and Argentina following his return in November, and his subsequent form during the Six Nations where Scotland finished third, justified his promotion.
Ritchie’s calf strain is described as minor by Townsend, who suggests the regular captain could be fit enough to participate in the return match with France in Saint-Etienne on 12 August.
Scotland will commence their World Cup campaign against the current champions, South Africa, in just five weeks.
Scotland Squad: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell (captain), White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, M Fagerson, Watson, Dempsey.
Substitutes: Cherry, Bhatti, Nel, Cummings, Darge, Horne, Redpath, Smith.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Finn Russell Captaincy
Who is the new captain of Scotland’s rugby team for the match against France?
Finn Russell has been designated as the captain of Scotland’s rugby team for the match against France, stepping in for Jamie Ritchie, who is absent due to a minor injury.
Why has Finn Russell been promoted to captain?
Finn Russell’s promotion to captain comes after his impressive performances against New Zealand and Argentina and during the Six Nations. This follows an initial exclusion from the squad for the 2022 autumn series by head coach Gregor Townsend.
Which players retained their positions from the winning squad against Italy?
Darcy Graham and Matt Fagerson are the only players who have retained their starting positions from the squad that won against Italy last weekend.
Why is Jamie Ritchie not playing in the match against France?
Jamie Ritchie is absent from the match against France due to a minor calf strain.
When is Scotland’s World Cup campaign starting and who will they play against?
Scotland’s World Cup campaign will begin in five weeks, with their first match against the current champions, South Africa.
Who is the least experienced player chosen for the upcoming match?
The least experienced player chosen for the upcoming match against France is hooker Ewan Ashman.
