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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Sunderland

Scotland make five changes for Six Nations visit to Wales following Calcutta Cup win

Gregor Townsend has made five changes to his team for Saturday's Six Nations test against Wales as Scotland seek to build on last weekend's Calcutta Cup win over England.

Scotland have never won their opening two games in any Six Nations championship to date but have a gleaming opportunity to establish a precedent at the Principality Stadium.

Jamie Ritchie came off injured against England and has been replaced by Sam Skinner, who will start at blindside flanker in a back row that also comprises Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson.

Highly rated youngster Rory Darge is set to make his debut off the bench after replacing Skinner among the substitutes, while Townsend has also opted for an entirely new-look front row.

Scotland travel to Wales after clinching the Calcutta Cup in their Six Nations opener (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel have replaced Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson, respectively, while former captain Stuart McInally will start in place of George Turner at hooker.

Glasgow Warriors centre Sione Tuipulotu will make his first Six Nations start in the other change, replacing Sam Johnson as Chris Harris' partner in midfield.

Captain Stuart Hogg will earn his 90th Scotland cap exactly 10 years after his debut in Cardiff, while lock Grant Gilchrist brings up a half-century of caps for his country.

London Irish scrum-half Ben White has kept his place on the bench after scoring on his debut against birth country England, while Ali Price has retained the No. 9 jersey despite a head knock at Murrayfield.

Who do you think will win in Cardiff on Saturday? Let us know in the comments section.

Ben White's debut try was critical to Scotland's recent Calcutta Cup win over England (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Last weekend's win marked the first time in 38 years that Scotland have sealed consecutive victories over England, but that may not be the only duck they break this tournament.

Townsend's men edged Wales 14-10 in Llanelli when they met for a rescheduled 2020 Six Nations encounter, but the Tartan Army hasn't triumphed in Cardiff since April 2002.

Wales appear to be on the ropes after succumbing 29-7 when they travelled to Dublin last time out, although the boost provided by a packed Principality Stadium makes them more dangerous this time around.

Wales and Scotland will kick off Round 2 of the Six Nations at 2.15pm on Saturday.

Scotland team vs. Wales

(Backs) Stuart Hogg (capt); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; (Forwards) Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally, WP Nel; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson

Reps: Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Rory Darge, Magnus Bradbury, Ben White, Blair Kinghorn, Cameron Redpath

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