Six Nations: Scotland makes four changes to face England

Grant Gilchrist and Pierre Schumann have withdrawn from the Scotland squad to face England in Saturday’s Six Nations meeting at Murrayfield – and there is no place again in the starting line-up for British and Irish Lions trio Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Doohan van der Merwe.

There are four changes, all between the strikers, as coach Gregor Townsend reacts to a disappointing 18-15 opening defeat in Italy.

George Turner takes over from injured Ewan Ashman at hooker, while former skipper Jamie Ritchie comes into the back row in place of Matt Fagerson.

Nathan McBeath starts in a precarious position, with Glasgow Warriors team-mate Gregor Browne at lock.

This brings the number of United Rugby League leaders in the squad to 10, with a further four among the substitutes.

David Cherry supports Hooker off the bench, joined by Edinburgh winger Graham, while Kinghorn and Van der Merwe are completely absent.

Van der Merwe, the country’s all-time top scorer, scored six goals against England, including a hat-trick the last time they met at Murrayfield in 2024.

England started the tournament with a landslide victory over its guest, Wales, 48-7.

Scotland lost 16-15 in London last year, having won the previous four confrontations with England.

More to follow.