Scotland make four changes vs Italy in Six Nations with Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Richie Gray out injured; Blair Kinghorn starts at 10 | Rugby Union News

Blair Kinghorn has returned to start for Scotland at No 10 vs Italy in the Six Nations, with Finn Russell out injured

Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his Scotland side to face Italy in their Six Nations finale clash, with key men Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Richie Gray ruled out injured, and Blair Kinghorn starting at 10. 

A knee injury rules Russell out with Kinghorn coming in, while Ollie Smith starts at full-back for his third ever Test cap in place of Hogg (ankle).

Second-row Richie Gray limped off early vs Ireland with an unspecified knock, which sees Sam Skinner called up and into the starting XV.

The fourth change sees Hamish Watson return to start at openside flanker, with skipper Jamie Ritchie shifting back to blindside and Matt Fagerson dropping to the bench.

Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath.

More to follow…