Grant Gilchrist named captain as Scotland team revealed for Romania clash

Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland in their Rugby World Cup against Romania.

Gregor Townsend has named his team for their third game in the tournament held in France.

The Scots will have to beat Romania to keep their chances of qualification alive and set up a last game decider against Ireland at the Stade De France in Paris.

This comes after an opening day defeat to South Africa and a victory over Tonga in their second game.

In an entirely fresh pack, Gilchrist will link up in the second row with Sam Skinner, who was a replacement in that Tonga victory.

The back row sees the first appearances of the tournament for openside flanker Hamish Watson, who has been named as vice-captain, and blindside Luke Crosbie, with Matt Fagerson restored to the starting eleven at number 8.

A freshened front row will bring about a Rugby World Cup debut for tighthead prop Javan Sebastian, who is joined by loosehead Jamie Bhatti and Ewan Ashman at hooker.

In the back division, Chris Harris, also a vice-captain, is partnered at centre by Cameron Redpath.

Ben Healy is named at stand-off for a first tournament showing, with the experienced Ali Price selected at scrum-half.

Kyle Steyn retains his place in the back three, switching wings to accommodate the return of Darcy Graham, with Ollie Smith operating at full-back.

Among the replacements, hooker Johnny Matthews is in line to make his Scotland debut having been called into the squad earlier in the week to replace the unfortunate Stuart McInally.

The remaining substitutes were all involved against Tonga, with Matthews’ front row colleagues Rory Sutherland and WP Nel, as well as Scott Cummings and Rory Darge, completing Scotland’s forward options from the bench.

George Horne and Blair Kinghorn, both try scorers last time out, are joined by Huw Jones in rounding off the matchday 23.

Scotland team to play Romania

15. Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
16. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby) 37 caps
17. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby) – Vice-captain – 45 caps
18. Cameron Redpath (Bath Rugby) 8 caps
19. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps
20. Ben Healy (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) 64 caps
22. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) 33 caps
23. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby) 10 caps
24. Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh Rugby) 6 caps
25. Sam Skinner (Edinburgh Rugby) 29 caps
26. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain – 66 caps
27. Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
28. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain – 58 caps
29. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps

Replacements

16. Johnny Matthews (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
17. Rory Sutherland (unattached) 27 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 59 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) 31 caps
20. Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps
22. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) 48 caps
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 41 caps

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