Six Nations 2026: Scotland drop Van der Merwe, Graham & Kinghorn

Scotland’s two top scorers in history, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, as well as British and Irish Lions Test full-back Blair Kinghorn, were sidelined for the Six Nations opener against Italy.

Coach Gregor Townsend has chosen a back three of Bristol’s Tom Jordan, alongside Glasgow Warriors’ wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie, for Saturday’s game in Rome.

This will be the first start of a Six Nations game for Dobie, who has played most of his career in attack but has excelled on the wing for Glasgow this season.

Graham is among the reserves, but Van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even on matchday 23; Bench Adam Hastings and offensive lineman George Horne guard the other backs.

Apart from the shock omissions of the three 2025 Lions tourists, Townsend’s selection for Scotland’s first match of the championship is otherwise predictable.

Grant Gilchrist, 35, overcame the challenges of younger Gregor Brown and Max Williamson to partner second-placed Scott Cummings, who missed last year’s title through injury.

Matt Fagerson, vice-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form Glasgow’s back row, while versatile Warriors forward Brown anchors the breakout unit.

These three are part of a nine-strong Glasgow group in the starting line-up, with five other Warriors on the bench.

Scotland’s leading try-scoring striker Ewan Ashman has accepted an offer to play hooker ahead of George Turner and will support Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson on either side for the Lions.

Ben White partners vice-captain Finn Russell at halfback despite strong claims from the in-form Horne.

The midfield consists of the familiar duo of Huw Jones and captain Sione Tuipulotu; It is the 18th Test match the duo has played together.