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Russell return one of four changes for Scotland as they aim to derail France

Finn Russell is back in the Scotland side for Friday night's Six Nations showdown with France.  ...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.56 24 Mar 2021


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Russell return one of four cha...

Russell return one of four changes for Scotland as they aim to derail France

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Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.56 24 Mar 2021


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Finn Russell is back in the Scotland side for Friday night's Six Nations showdown with France. 

The Racing 92 out-half missed last weekend's win over Italy, having suffered a concussion in the round 3 defeat to Ireland.

Russell's return is one of four changes to the side that beat the Azzurri 52-10 at Murrayfield.

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Having started at no.10 last week, Stuart Hogg reverts to full-back, with Glasgow scrum-half Ali Price forming a half-back partnership with Russell. Scott Steele drops to the bench.

Elsewhere, Chris Harris comes in for Huw Jones at outside centre, with the latter among the replacements.

The other change comes in the front row, with George Turner named at hooker in place of David Cherry.

France need to beat Scotland by 21-points and with four-tries if they're to wrestle the Six Nations trophy out of the grasp of Wales.

French head coach Fabien Galthie made five changes to his side, with Romain Ntamack in at out-half in place of the injured Mathieu Jalibert.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said, "The match against France provides us with an opportunity to finish the Six Nations in our highest position in its history.

“This is a great opportunity for us to take on France, at home in Paris, as they also look to end the championship on a high.

“Both teams have needed to manage a short six-day turnaround and we have used this week to regroup and focus on putting in our best performance of the competition so far, which we will need to deliver if we are to leave Paris with a victory.

“As a group we have faced several challenges throughout this Six Nations, it has brought us closer together, and I know the players are motivated and looking forward to representing their country again on Friday night.”

Scotland team v France: 

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) 84 caps (captain)
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) - 18 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 27 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) - 17 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) - 9 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) VICE CAPTAIN – 54 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 41 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 16 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 37 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 11 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 44 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 26 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 40 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps

Replacements:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 30 caps
19. Alex Craig (Gloucester) – 1 cap
20. Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 4 caps
22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 30 caps

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