Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made the biggest gamble of his tenure by dropping talismanic winger Duhan van der Merwe for Saturday’s crunch Calcutta Cup match against England.
Under immense pressure following a dismal defeat to Italy in Rome, Townsend has swung the axe ruthlessly. The team sheet for the Murrayfield showdown reveals a historic snub. For the first time in 28 years, there is not a single Edinburgh Rugby player in the starting XV.
Ruthless Calls After Rome Debacle
The exclusion of Van der Merwe is the headline shockwave. The powerful winger has been a tormentor of English defences in recent years and scored a famous hat-trick in this fixture just two years ago. Yet he does not even find a place on the bench this weekend.
He is not the only big name casualty. Premier fullback Blair Kinghorn has also been omitted from the matchday 23 entirely. Kinghorn has returned to his club Toulouse in France.
Townsend has instead kept faith with the back three that struggled in the torrential rain of the Stadio Olimpico.
- Tom Jordan retains the fullback jersey.
- Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie continue on the wings.
This decision has baffled pundits and fans alike. The back three looked vulnerable under the high ball against Italy. Sticking with them while discarding proven match-winners like Van der Merwe suggests Townsend is doubling down on his tactical convictions despite the growing noise surrounding his job security.
Pack Reshuffle Sees McBeth and Brown Start
While the backline remains unchanged, the forward pack has undergone significant surgery. Townsend has made four changes to the eight that were bullied by the Italians last week.
The front row sees a fresh look. Nathan McBeth earns his first Six Nations start at loosehead prop. He replaces Pierre Schoeman, who pays the price for a tough afternoon in Rome and drops to the bench.
George Turner comes in at hooker to replace Ewan Ashman. Ashman has been ruled out with a neck injury sustained in the Italy loss.
In the engine room, Gregor Brown is promoted from the bench to partner Scott Cummings at lock. This move sees veteran Grant Gilchrist dropped from the squad completely. It is a bold statement from the coaching staff that reputation alone will not guarantee a jersey.
Jamie Ritchie returns to the back row at blindside flanker. He brings vital experience and breakdown menace which was sorely missed during the chaotic defeat last weekend. Matt Fagerson moves to the replacements to accommodate him.
“We have got to pick who we believe will give us the best chance of winning. Sometimes that decision is a very tough one.” Gregor Townsend on his selection headaches.
Townsend Defends Controversial Back Three
The retention of the back three has sparked fierce debate. The trio of Jordan, Steyn, and Dobie failed to ignite in Rome and looked shaky defensively.
Townsend was defiant when questioned about ignoring the claims of Van der Merwe and Darcy Graham for starting spots. Graham has to settle for a place on the bench again.
The coach insisted that the back three’s work rate and training performances earned them another shot. He pointed to specific tactical reasons for their selection. But the pressure will be squarely on their shoulders. Any early error under the high ball at Murrayfield will turn the home crowd anxious.
Scotland Team to Face England:
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Tom Jordan | Bristol Bears |
| 14 | Kyle Steyn | Glasgow Warriors |
| 13 | Huw Jones | Glasgow Warriors |
| 12 | Sione Tuipulotu (C) | Glasgow Warriors |
| 11 | Jamie Dobie | Glasgow Warriors |
| 10 | Finn Russell | Bath Rugby |
| 9 | Ben White | Toulon |
| 1 | Nathan McBeth | Glasgow Warriors |
| 2 | George Turner | Harlequins |
| 3 | Zander Fagerson | Glasgow Warriors |
| 4 | Gregor Brown | Glasgow Warriors |
| 5 | Scott Cummings | Glasgow Warriors |
| 6 | Jamie Ritchie | Perpignan |
| 7 | Rory Darge | Glasgow Warriors |
| 8 | Jack Dempsey | Glasgow Warriors |
Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.7
Do or Die at Murrayfield
The stakes could not be higher for Scotland.
They entered this championship with high hopes but the 18-15 loss to Italy has left their campaign hanging by a thread. Another defeat on Saturday would effectively end their title aspirations before they have barely begun.
England arrive in Edinburgh full of confidence. They thrashed Wales 48-7 in their opening match. Steve Borthwick’s men look sharp, physical, and disciplined.
History is on Scotland’s side in recent years. They have won four of the last five Calcutta Cup meetings. But history will not make tackles or catch high balls on Saturday.
The Murrayfield crowd will be expectant. They want a response. They want to see the fire that was missing in Italy.
Townsend has rolled the dice with his selection. He has left his most potent weapon in the stands. If Scotland wins, he will be hailed as a tactical genius who made the hard calls.
If they lose, the questions about his future will become deafening.
Scotland vs England kicks off at 16:45 GMT on Saturday, February 14.
The team is set. The gamble is taken. Now we wait for the whistle.
Do you think Townsend made the right call dropping Duhan van der Merwe? Can this team beat an in-form England? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #CalcuttaCup #ScotlandRugby #SixNations2026
