Hamish Watson ruled out of France clash

Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has returned a positive Covid test and will not play in the Guinness Six Nations match against France on Saturday 26 February.

Edinburgh back row Nick Haining moves into the starting XV and will play on the blindside, with Rory Darge moving to the openside flanker position.

Saracens’ Andy Christie comes into the matchday 23 and is in line to make his Scotland debut if called on from the replacements.

Two members of the Scotland backroom team have also tested positive for Covid and will isolate as per Scottish Government guidelines.

Scotland team to face France in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations

15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 90 caps

14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 24 caps

13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby - 33 caps

12. Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors - 3 caps

11. Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors - 15 caps

10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - (Vice-Captain) - 60 caps

9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors - 48 caps

1. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 6 caps

2. Stuart McInally - Edinburgh Rugby - 45 caps

3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors – 44 caps

4. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 17 caps

5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) - 50 caps

6. Nick Haining - Edinburgh Rugby - 10 caps

7. Rory Darge - Glasgow Warriors - 1 cap

8. Magnus Bradbury - Edinburgh Rugby - 16 caps

Replacements

16. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 22 caps

17. Oli Kebble - Glasgow Warriors - 11 caps

18. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps

19. Jamie Hodgson - Edinburgh Rugby - 3 caps

20. Andy Christie - Saracens - uncapped

21. Ben White - London Irish - 2 caps

22. Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 29 caps

23. Mark Bennett - Edinburgh Rugby - 22 caps