Kinghorn and Hutchinson start Scotland's first test versus Argentina

June 30, 2022
2772
Ultimate Rugby

Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland for the first time since 2018 this Saturday when he leads Scotland out in Jujuy for the first match of the Test series against Argentina. Kick-off 8.10pm (BST).

Gilchrist starts the match alongside Jonny Gray in the second row.

In the back row, Luke Crosbie is named following his stint as captain of Scotland A against Chile last weekend. It will be Crosbie’s first international start having already made his debut off the bench against Tonga last year.

Magnus Bradbury and Matt Fagerson complete the back rower.

Pierre Schoeman starts alongside Warriors’ prop Zander Fagerson in the front row with George Turner at hooker.

Finn Russell is rested for the tour which means that Blair Kinghorn partners Ali Price for the second time having played together against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in March.

Duhan van der Merwe missed the last two games of the Six Nations through a suspension and he makes his return to the starting line-up. Darcy Graham will occupy the other flank.

Mark Bennett will start his first Scotland game since 2016 when he played against Georgia at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.

His inclusion tops off an impressive last month where he was named as Edinburgh Rugby’s Player of the Season. He will partner Glasgow Warriors centre Sam Johnson.

At full-back Rory Hutchison will start the game with his last appearance coming in 2020 when he came off the bench against Italy. He slots into the role with Stuart Hogg also rested for the tour.

On the bench, Sale Sharks’ hooker Ewan Ashman will aim to make his first Scotland appearance since the 2021 Autumn Tests where he scored a memorable winning try against Australia at BT Murrayfield.

After missing the majority of the Six Nations, picking up an injury against England, British & Irish Lion, Rory Sutherland is also named on the bench.

Back-rower Rory Darge will also make his long-awaited return from injury after being named as Glasgow Warriors Player of the Season last month.

London Irish scrum-half Ben White is included as replacement scrum-half, with fellow half-back Ross Thompson also named on the bench. Sam Skinner, who joins Edinburgh Rugby for the new season, is also selected as a replacement alongside Javan Sebastian and Sione Tuipulotu – who both featured in the Scotland A match against Chile.

Not included in the matchday 23 are Damien Hoyland, Ben Muncaster, Matt Currie, Jamie Hodgson and Johnny Matthews who have returned to Scotland following their involvement in the Scotland A match against Chile last weekend.