Get ready for an exciting Six Nations opener as Scotland takes on Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome! The pressure is on for Gregor Townsend's team, especially after a less-than-stellar 2025 Test season. But here's where it gets interesting: Scotland has shown potential to join the elite of the competition, and this year, they aim to prove themselves as serious contenders.
To achieve this, Scotland has assembled a formidable squad, with many players from the impressive Glasgow Warriors. However, there have been some changes since the initial announcement, with Gregor Hiddleston and Gus Warr joining the team, while Liam McConnell had to drop out due to an injury.
Now, the big question is whether Townsend will stick with his tried-and-tested players or twist things up with some new selections. One of the most crucial decisions is at the wing position, where Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, and Kyle Steyn are battling it out. With Graham's exceptional form and the X-factor he brings, this decision could make or break Scotland's strategy.
At full-back, it's a close call between Blair Kinghorn and Tom Jordan, both of whom have had outstanding seasons with their respective clubs. Kinghorn's consistent performance for Scotland might give him the edge, but Jordan's versatility could see him named on the bench.
And this is the part most people miss: the scrum-half position. Ben White and George Horne are both in contention, with Horne's impressive form for Glasgow making him a strong contender. However, White's experience and key contributions for Scotland might just tip the scales in his favor, leaving Horne out of the 23-man squad.
In the backline, Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are expected to reunite in midfield, with Finn Russell starting at fly-half. The forward pack is also shaping up to be a powerful unit, with Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson bringing their brute strength to the mix. Rory Darge, known for his breakdown prowess, is also a likely starter at flanker.
The lock position presents an intriguing dilemma, with experienced Jonny Gray returning from injury and several other players in good form. Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist have been solid performers for Scotland, and the impressive Gregor Brown could provide cover for both lock and back-row positions from the bench.
The props are a straightforward choice, with Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman likely to start. At hooker, Ewan Ashman seems to be the front-runner, but Townsend might opt to give Gregor Hiddleston a chance to showcase his skills.
So, without further ado, here's our predicted Scotland starting XV for their Six Nations opener against Italy:
Starting XV:
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Darcy Graham
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu (c)
11. Kyle Steyn
10. Finn Russell
9. Ben White
8. Jack Dempsey
7. Rory Darge
6. Matt Fagerson
5. Grant Gilchrist
4. Scott Cummings
3. Zander Fagerson
2. Ewan Ashman
1. Pierre Schoeman
Bench:
16. Gregor Hiddleston
17. Rory Sutherland
18. Elliot Millar Mills
19. Jonny Gray
20. Gregor Brown
21. Magnus Bradbury
22. Jamie Dobie
23. Tom Jordan
What do you think of these predictions? Do you agree with our analysis, or do you have a different take on Scotland's lineup? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to share your thoughts on Scotland's chances in this year's Six Nations!
