
Gregor Brown to make his first Six Nations start for Scotland against France
Gregor Brown will make his first Guinness Six Nations start for Scotland after being selected in the second row for Saturday's showdown with France in Paris.
The 23-year-old Glasgow forward – who made his debut last summer – will take the place of Jonny Gray – who drops to the bench for the Stade de France showdown.
In the only other change to the starting XV, Matt Fagerson takes over from the injured Jack Dempsey at number eight. Co-captain Rory Darge has recovered from the hip issue that forced him off in last Saturday's victory over Wales and takes his place in the back row.
Edinburgh forwards Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster will get their first involvement of the championship after being named on the bench. Glasgow backs Kyle Rowe and George Horne drop out of the 23 altogether.
The Scots are no longer in title contention but can play a part in deciding the outcome of the championship, with France requiring a victory to secure the silverware.
Scotland team to face France on Saturday: B Kinghorn (Toulouse), D Graham (Edinburgh), H Jones (Glasgow), T Jordan (Glasgow), D Van der Merwe (Edinburgh), F Russell (Bath), B White (Toulon); P Schoeman (Edinburgh), D Cherry (Edinburgh), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), G Brown (Glasgow), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), R Darge (Glasgow), M Fagerson (Glasgow).
Replacements: E Ashman (Edinburgh), R Sutherland (Glasgow), W Hurd (Leicester), J Gray (Bordeaux), M Sykes (Edinburgh), B Muncaster (Edinburgh), J Dobie (Glasgow), S McDowall (Glasgow).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
18 minutes ago
- BBC News
Swansea piecing together transfer 'puzzle'
Director of football Richard Montague says Swansea City are piecing together a transfer "puzzle" in their bid to strengthen for next have already agreed deals for winger Zeidane Inoussa and teenage striker Bobby Wales, while defender Ricardo Santos is poised to sign on a free and January recruit Melker Widell will arrive in there is plenty more work to do, with a left-sided centre-back and a defensive midfielder understood to be the club's leading priorities as things are also looking at attacking options – including Oli McBurnie – and remain interested in re-signing Lewis O' may also be further defensive additions depending on which players depart this summer, with Harry Darling's future still says Swansea have discussed a string of potential deals – and is "very confident" Alan Sheehan's new-look squad will be stronger than the one which finished last season. A move for Swansea old boy McBurnie, who is available on a free transfer following Las Palmas' relegation from La Liga, would be an eye-catching one, though much is likely to depend on whether fellow forwards Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich come back into the fold in about McBurnie, who scored 26 goals in 62 appearances in his previous spell at Swansea, Montague said: "I think everybody knows about Oli and his qualities and his situation as well."He is one we have spoken about and will be a name on various lists that we have. He is clearly a very, very good player, but I'd be unwilling to say whether that's progressing or has progressed any further."In theory a lot of things are conceivable, but it depends on where you are not going to spend money elsewhere."Not necessarily talking about Oli McBurnie, but it's all a puzzle where you say how much do we value a particular player, what can he add to us, and how much of our budget should we allocate to any player?" Montague says "all options are on the table" regarding Yates, who impressed during a loan spell at Derby last season but is under contract at Swansea for at least one more year."We need to have proper conversations with him and his agent to discuss what is the best way forward for him. Nothing is decided yet," Montague situation is similar with Kuharevich, who was on loan at Hibernian in 2024-25, while goalkeeper Andy Fisher and midfielders Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill are also due back in Wales after loan spells away.O'Brien has gone in the opposite direction, returning to parent-club Nottingham Forest after thriving at Swansea having joined on loan in 26-year-old has expressed an interest in rejoining Swansea, but has a year to run on his contract at the City says there have been "good conversations with Forest" about the idea of O'Brien returning. "They were really good to deal with last season. They sent us a really nice message to thank us for how well Lewis did with us, which was great to receive," he added."The ball is a little bit in their court at the moment because of Lewis' contract situation. He is on a Premier League salary and there needs to be some give in some sense to make it work for us. But it's definitely an option that's still on the table."We are talking to Lewis and having good conversations with Forest. We would love to be able to do something. It's just timing and matching it all up with the financial realities."Swansea have been linked with a move for another midfielder, Lincoln City's Ethan Erhahon, and are thought to have tabled a bid earlier in the Montague has indicated Swansea will not be signing the 24-year-old, saying: "We have talked about so many players and quite a lot have got to the point where we have spoken to agents or clubs. There isn't anything concrete in that one." No interest in Franco yet - and no news on Fulton Montague, meanwhile, says there has been no interest in player-of-the-year Goncalo Franco so far this has been touted as a potential target for clubs in Europe on the back of a fine first season in Wales, but Montague said: "There is so much noise around this time of the year, which is understandable because people need things to write about."But until we have anything concrete, there is nothing for me to say about it. He has obviously had a brilliant season and we would love to keep him here, so let's hope that's what happens."Jay Fulton is another Swansea player who has been linked with a summer exit, with Plymouth Argyle mentioned as potential suitors for the long-serving Montague has suggested Sheehan's squad needs the experience of Fulton following the summer departures of old heads like Joe Allen, Kyle Naughton and Cyrus Christie."Jay did unbelievably well for us when he came into the team at the back end of the season - he gave us some great minutes and is an unbelievable character," he said."He is a senior player, which is probably lacking a bit in that age profile now with some of the key departures we had. He is an important player for us and there is no news about any offers or movement with Jay."


Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Neil Jenkins writes a message to Leigh Halfpenny after being replaced by him and everyone is blown away
Neil Jenkins writes a message to Leigh Halfpenny after being replaced by him and everyone is blown away Leigh Halfpenny will be joining Matt Sherratt's coaching ticket this summer in Japan Wales legends Neil Jenkins (left) and Leigh Halfpenny (Image: Instagram/Jess Halfpenny ) Wales legend Neil Jenkins has penned a poignant message to Leigh Halfpenny as the former Harlequins player gets set to take on his mentor's role this summer. WalesOnline reported earlier on this week that Halfpenny was set to be included in Matt Sherratt's coaching ticket for their two-Test tour of Japan next month, with the news confirmed by the Welsh Rugby Union on Thursday. Halfpenny's contract with Quins has now elapsed but it is understood the former Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff man will be taking up a contact with France with Béziers next season. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. However, before that, he will tip his toes further into the coaching pool with a national team role alongside head coach Sherratt, defence coach Gethin Jenkins, scrum consultant Adam Jones, assistant forwards coach T. Rhys Thomas and forwards coach Danny Wilson. With the WRU going in a different direction, it means Warren Gatland's trusted lieutenant and Wales mainstay Jenkins will be staying at home this summer, but the hero paid a suitably heartfelt tribute to his student with a message and photo on Instagram. "Supporting my boy, always!" he wrote online. "Good luck for the summer tour son, very proud of you." Article continues below In the comments section of the post, Halfpenny's mother responded with a three heart emojis, while his wife Jess did the same, with others blown away by the sentiments expressed by Jenkins. "What a man you are for this post Jinx," wrote one, while another added: "Class is permanent, passing the baton on, thanks Neil and good luck Leigh." Leigh Halfpenny and Neil Jenkins pictured in 2021 (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Jenkins and Halfpenny have worked together with the national side for years, with the kicking legend imparting his wisdom on the Gorseinon product, helping him become one of the best goalkickers in world rugby. Upon being announced as a member of Sherratt's team, Halfpenny quickly paid his own tribute to Jenkins. 'To be asked to work with the men's national squad this summer is a huge honour and I'm very grateful for the opportunity," said Halfpenny. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free 'I really enjoyed my experience coaching with the U20s a few years ago and I'm looking forward to continuing my development in this area over the next few weeks. "Neil Jenkins has been a massive influence on me throughout my career. "He's one of the best that there has ever been and I've been privileged to have learnt so much from him and I hope I can take that knowledge forward into this role. 'I'm still finalising my plans beyond the summer and hope to update more on that front soon. Article continues below "In the meantime, I can't wait to get into camp and join up with Matt, the rest of the coaching team and squad next week.'


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Why low block won't faze Martin
Former Rangers forward Steven Naismith says new Ibrox head coach Russell Martin's "clear identity" is all about breaking down teams who sit played with Martin for Scotland and Norwich City, with Martin going on to manage MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton."He's got a clear style, a clear identity and that, for me, is massive," said Naismith, who played for Rangers from 2007-12."Rangers need someone who can understand what they want and can implement it. Russell has done that now at three clubs."Nine times out of 10 in Scotland, Rangers will play against a low block, teams sitting in, and it's about breaking them down. I think the philosophy of Russell Martin is all about that."He wants his team to have lots of possession, push the opposition deep and then hurt them. Communication is one of his strongest points. He understands the highs and lows and what it takes to get the best out of a player."Martin, 39, briefly played for Rangers in 2018, with the last of his 17 outings a remarkable 5-5 draw away to Hibernian, while there were sore 4-0 and 5-0 defeats to Celtic."If you don't understand the league, if you don't understand the club, that part can get overlooked and it can cause you big problems," said Naismith."Russell has experienced it, although it was brief. He understands the demand and he was probably at the club at a time when the quality of what was on offer wasn't great, so he's seen how tough it can be."