Shot at redemption for big Maxpublished at 10:51 GMT
10:51 GMT
Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer
So there it is – probably the biggest selection of Gregor Townsend’s time in charge of Scotland. We wondered who would partner Grant Gilchrist in the second-row and thought it might be Alex Craig. It’s not.
It’s something of a surprise that it’s Max Williamson given that the big man – huge talent but not at his best right now – was hauled off early in Cardiff and wasn’t in the 23 for France. Massive show of faith in him by Townsend.
Zander Fagerson also starts after playing a bench role against France. What’s the thinking there? After so many poor starts in their 11 straight losses against Ireland perhaps Townsend is giving his team the best chance to stay in the hunt early on rather than keeping heavy artillery like Fagerson for later in the day.
Rae is still an excellent operator to have on the bench. They might play close to 40 minutes apiece just like last weekend. Empty the tanks and then come off.
Craig is on the bench and offers plenty of oomph. So is Magnus Bradbury and that looks a shrewd call. Bradbury is a seriously hard nut.
Kyle Rowe makes his first squad of the championship as part of a 5-3 bench. It was 6-2 last weekend. Rowe deserves it. He’s been a terrific force in the Glasgow team. Feel for Josh Bayliss and Freddy Douglas who miss out.