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Townsend rings the changes as Scotland head to Wales

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Gregor Townsend has made five changes to his Scotland side as they look to make it two wins from two against Wales on Saturday.

Gregor Townsend has made five changes to his Scotland side as they look to make it two wins from two against Wales on Saturday.

After their Calcutta Cup success against England, the Scots will head to Cardiff with a new front row as Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally and WP Nel all come in.

Elsewhere in the pack, Sam Skinner is included at blindside flanker in place of the injured Jamie Ritchie.

And the final change comes in the centres where Sione Tuipulotu gets the nod in place of Sam Johnson.

There are further changes on the bench as Rory Darge is in line for his Test debut, taking Skinner’s spot, while Cameron Redpath could add to his sole cap after being included among the replacements.

Stuart Hogg will once again captain the team, with Ali Price and Finn Russell making up the half-backs and Grant Gilchrist set for his 50th cap in the second row.

Hogg is joined in the back three by Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, with Chris Harris linking up with Tuipulotu in the centres.

Gilchrist makes up a familiar second row with Jonny Gray, while Skinner joins Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson in the back row.

Last week’s starting front row are all named on the bench, with George Turner, Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson hoping to make an impact, with Magnus Bradbury, debutant try-scorer Ben White and Blair Kinghorn making up the rest of the replacements.

Scotland team to face Wales

Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Stuart McInally, 3. WP Nel, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Sam Skinner, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson

Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Magnus Bradbury, 20. Rory Darge, 21. Ben White, 22. Blair Kinghorn, 23. Cameron Redpath