Scotland make four changes for Six Nations clash with Ireland
Sean Maitland and Jonny Gray return from injury
Thursday 7 February 2019 14:01, UK
Blair Kinghorn has been dropped to the bench despite scoring an opening weekend hat-trick in one of four Scotland changes for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland.
The 22-year-old was voted player of the opening round after his hat-trick in Scotland's win over Italy, but misses out as Sean Maitland returns from injury on the wing.
Jonny Gray is also fit again and slots in for Ben Toolis in the second row, while injured forwards WP Nel and Sam Skinner are replaced by Simon Berghan and Josh Strauss.
"We picked up two injuries from last week with WP (Nel) and Sam (Skinner) missing out, which is disappointing for us and them, but have had a boost with a number of proven Test players returning from injury and available to us this week," Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said.
"To have that calibre of player and experience around the group in the build-up this week, and during a game of such magnitude, is very important."
Despite Kinghorn's heroics in the 33-20 victory over Italy, Maitland joins fellow British and Irish Lions Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg in the back three after recovering from a hamstring strain.
After missing the Murrayfield opener with a shoulder injury, Gray is fit to retake his place alongside Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
Prop Nel suffered a calf strain against Italy, while back-row Skinner was ruled out by an ankle injury.
There are four further changes to the Scotland bench, with uncapped prop D'arcy Rae stepping into the spot vacated by Berghan.
Glasgow Warriors duo Fraser Brown and Pete Horne have recovered from injury to make the replacements, while their club teammate Rob Harley has also been drafted in.
Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Tommy Seymour, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Finn Russell, 9.Greig Laidlaw (captain); 1. Allan Dell, 2. Stuart McInally, 3. Simon Berghan, 4. Grant Gilchrist, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Ryan Wilson, 7. Jamie Ritchie, 8. Josh Strauss
Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17.Jamie Bhati, 18. D'Arcy Rae, 19. Ben Toolis, 20. Rob Harley, 21. Ali Price, 22. Pete Horne, 23. Blair Kinghorn
