Scotland have picked a team to play Italy –whether it be home or away – and the threat of the Italians’ new wide game is what has led to the only change of three that is up for debate for Rome on Saturday.
Ben Toolis predictably stepped up from the replacements bench for the injured Johnny Gray, while Stuart McInally for Fraser Brown – or vice versa – has always been a hunch pick given both are so similar players.
However the inclusion of Chris Harris for Huw Jones in midfield is a sure tactical switch, giving up Jones’ pace and ability to beat player – he was the only back who beat a defender in the Calcutta Cup game – for Harris’ defensive assurance.
Under new coach Franco Smith Italy have a more expansive game plan, and Gregor Townsend expects Scotland to be challenged more in the wide areas than they have in either of the first two games.
“It fits in with (Smith’s) philosophy. More so when he was with the Cheetahs, and he was attack coach for the Springboks as well, so he knows international rugby.
“Certainly, his philosophy is coming through in the first two games. They have offloaded more than any team in the championship, they passed the ball more than Wales or France, and even though they’ve lost both those games we have seen them make line-breaks.
“They have selected really athletic players in the front-five, and ball-players in the backs with Carlo Canna, who is usually a 10, playing 12. We’ll see what they pick this week but I’d imagine it will be a team and approach very similar to the first two games, which puts our defence under a lot of pressure.
“It’s a different approach to the Italian teams on the past we’ve played. We have to be aware of the threat of them going wide and offloading.”
Therefore Harris, perceived to be the strongest defender available, comes into the side rather than Jones or Rory Hutchinson. Jones is not in the matchday 23, and Hutchinson stays on the bench.
“Chris’ work-rate is outstanding, he gets himself involved to make more tackles, to get on ball and he’s a very good defender.
“In terms of his attack and his running lines he’s improved every year, now he’s a more all-round player.
“For Huw, it’s really the competition in that position, and also the opponents this week. We thinks it’s the opportunity and right time for Chris to come back into the team.
“He started in the World Cup. His game against Samoa was excellent and his performance against France in the World Cup warm-up too.
“Certainly when we look at the opposition this week we know we will be tested in the wide channels more than our opening two games. Chris is a good defender there and he’s got to show that and bring that this week.”
McInally for Brown or the other way around seems to be a decision of gut feeling, and the coaches feel it’s the former captain’s turn – he last started for Scotland in the opening World Cup defeat to Ireland.
“It’s not down to what happened to the lineout in the England game, that was the weather and any hooker would have struggled,” added Townsend.
“Stuart had a rib injury going into the first game so he hadn’t played for a few weeks, the other reason he didn’t start was Fraser had been playing really well.
“There isn’t much between those two hookers and we have a third, George Turner, who is also playing well for his club.
“Anyway if you are playing hooker you are going to get 20 minutes off the bench even if you’re not selected.
“We think it’s right for Stuart to play in this game. He’s played at a consistently high level and in his two games off the bench I felt he showed real energy.”
Of the three players called into the squad, Matt Fagerson is the only one to feature as a replacement, Sam Skinner “hasn’t played enough games yet” while Darcy Graham isn’t fully fit as yet.
Team: Stuart Hogg (Exeter, capt); Sean Maitland (Saracens), Chris Harris (Gloucester), Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Kinghorn (Edinbirgh); Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors); Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors); Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors); Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh).
Replacements: Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Allan Dell (London Irish), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks).
