Six Nations 2026: Graham and Dempsey return for Scotland against France

Townsend, who made five starting changes after a narrow win away to Wales, added: “We know we have the final and things to play for in Dublin, but it’s about winning. That’s what we’re here for.”

“Whatever that means in the tournament, we’ll see after the game, but it’s about putting in a winning performance.”

Darcey Graham and Jack Dempsey start, while Xander Fagerson has not featured in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2023.

Kyle Steyn moves from right wing to left wing to accommodate Graham with the loss of Duhan van der Merwe. Graham and Van der Merwe share the Scottish record of 35 international tries.

Dempsey (31 years old) was expected to miss the rest of the tournament after suffering a biceps injury in the Calcutta Cup win over England, but he returned to the squad after the away win over Wales in the third round.

He replaced Matt Fagerson at No. 8, with Fagerson shifting to blindside wing.

Gregor Brown moves from sixth to second to partner Scott Cummings while Max Williamson makes way.

Pierre Schumann, George Turner and D’Arcy Ray form a new front row while Nathan Macbeth and Dave Cherry drop out completely.

Freddie Douglas, who has one cap to his name, is set to make his Six Nations debut off the bench, with Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland joining the 20-year-old on the bench.

Welcoming the return of “explosive ball carrier” Dempsey, Townsend described Douglas as “world class” at recovering the ball and promised Xander Fagerson would get “big minutes”.