HAMISH Watson will win his 50th cap for Scotland tomorrow as the tourists bid to bounce back from last week’s opening-match defeat in the three-Test series against Argentina.
The Edinburgh flanker had to sit out that 26-18 loss in Jujuy because of a training-ground injury but is now fit again, and Gregor Townsend has high hopes that he can make a big impact.
“Ideally we would have loved to have started him last weekend, but he picked up that shoulder injury,” the head coach said. “He’s trained fully this week and he’s been excellent on tour.
“He’s in our leadership group and thrives in that role. We expect him to play very well.”
Glasgow’s Rory Darge, a substitute last week, has been promoted to the back row alongside Watson for the match in Salta. Darge and Watson replace Magnus Bradbury and Luke Crosbie respectively, while other changes to the pack see
Dave Cherry start at hooker instead of George Turner and Sam Skinner replace Jonny Gray at lock.
The only change in the backs is at scrum-half, where Ben White will make his first Test start. On the bench, winger Kyle Rowe is in line to make his debut.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here