Six Nations 2026: Scotland offload Van der Merwe, Graham and Kinghorn

Doohan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham – Scotland’s all-time top scorers – as well as British and Irish full-back Blair Kinghorn have been left out of the squad for the opening Six Nations match against Italy.

Coach Gregor Townsend has selected a trio of Bristol’s Tom Jordan at full-back flanked by Glasgow Warriors wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobbie – who will make his first Six Nations start – for Saturday’s clash in Rome.

Graham is among the substitutes, but Van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even in the Round 23 match, with Adam Hastings and scrum-half George Horn facing off as back cover.

Other than the surprise omission of three tourists from the 2025 Lions, Townsend’s selection for Scotland’s first match of the tournament is to be expected.

Grant Gilchrist (35 years old) overcame the challenges of youngsters Gregor Brown and Max Williamson to replace Scott Cummings, who missed last year’s tournament due to injury, in the second row.

Matt Fagerson, vice-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey make up Glasgow’s entire back row, with versatile Warriors striker Brown also covering the breakaway unit.

Ewan Ashman, Scotland’s leading try-scoring forward, has been given the nod at hooker ahead of George Turner and will have the Lions’ Pierre Shuman and Xander Fagerson supporting him either side of him.

Ben White teams up with vice-captain Finn Russell at full-back despite strong demands from the in-form Horne.

The midfield is the familiar pairing of Huw Jones and skipper Sione Tuipolo – the 18th Test match the pair have played together.