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Six Nations: Scotland make three changes for Ireland showdown as they seek first title in competition's current format

Scotland are looking for their first Six Nations title and are in contention to do so going into the final weekend for the first time since the competition expanded in 2000; Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting XV to face Ireland

Thursday 12 March 2026 11:20, UK

Zander Fagersonn has come into Scotland's starting line-up to face Ireland
Image: Zander Fagersonn has come into Scotland's starting line-up to face Ireland

Scotland have made three changes for their Six Nations showdown against Ireland this Saturday.

Gregor Townsend has brought Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist into the second row due to injuries for Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, while Zander Fagerson comes in to start at tighthead prop having impressed as a replacement in last weekend's thrilling win over France.

Scotland are in contention to win their first Six Nations title on the final weekend for the first time since the competition expanded to include Italy in 2000.

They are level on points with leaders France, so need to better the defending champions' result when they travel to Dublin in the first of Saturday's three matches.

France face England in the last match, knowing a bonus-point victory would secure them the title no matter what Scotland do.

Grant Gilchrist (L) has played an important role off the bench in this year's Six Nations
Image: Grant Gilchrist (L) has played an important role off the bench in this year's Six Nations

Edinburgh lock Gilchrist, 35, is set to win his 88th cap for his country, becoming Scotland's all-time record appearance-maker for a second row.

Front row Fagerson replaces D'Arcy Rae at tighthead, while the back row of Glasgow trio Matt Fagerson, vice-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey remains unchanged.

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Wing Darcy Graham will resume in an unchanged back line after becoming Scotland's all-time leading try-scorer with a brace in last week's thrilling 50-40 win against France.

Scotland team to face Ireland

Starting XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn,14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11, Kyle Steyn, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Max Williamson, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman,17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D'arcy Rae, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 George Horne, 22 Kyle Rowe, 23 Tom Jordan.

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