Rugby union news - Sergio Parisse returns for Italy with Sam Johnson to make Scotland debut

ByBen Grounds

Published 31/01/2019 at 15:59 GMT

Centre Sam Johnson will make his Scotland debut in their Six Nations opener against Italy as coach Gregor Townsend on Thursday made six changes for Saturday’s clash at Murrayfield.

Australia-born Johnson, who moved to Scotland from the Queensland Reds in 2015, will pair with his Glasgow Warriors partner Huw Jones at centre with uncapped hooker Jake Kerr and backrower Gary Graham named among the replacements.

Scotland will be without injured lock Jonny Gray and loose forward Hamish Watson in their first game since the 14-9 victory over Argentina at Murrayfield in November.

Ben Toolis was named to partner Gary Gilchrist in the second row after Gray failed to shake off a nagging shoulder problem.

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Hamish Watson will be absent for Scotland against Italy

Image credit: Getty Images

The absence of Watson, who also has a shoulder injury, means Jamie Ritchie comes in at No. 7 with Sam Skinner on the blindside and Ryan Wilson returning at No. 8.

All but two of the starting pack play for Edinburgh who are third in their PRO-14 conference. Townsend said:

Our challenge is to win the physical battle, which is a strength of Italian rugby. We will also have to bring energy and accuracy in order to get our campaign off to a winning start.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been recalled to the side after injury.

Sergio Parisse's form for Stade Francais has earned him a recall

Image credit: Getty Images

The 35-year-old No. 8, who missed the November internationals, will make a record 66th Six Nations appearance, putting him one ahead of Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll who played 65 times in the tournament between 2000 and 2014.

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini is set to make his 100th Italy appearance while coach Conor O'Shea will give an international debut to lock David Sisi.

Sisi will become the 26th player to get his first cap in the Irishman's two-and-a-half years in charge.

Scotland XV: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Blair Kinghorn, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8-Ryan Wilson, 7-Jamie Ritchie, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-WP Nel, 2-Stuart McInally, 1-Allan Dell

Replacements: 16-Jake Kerr, 17-Jamie Bhati, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Gary Graham, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Ali Price, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris.

Italy XV: 15-Jayden Hayward, 14-Angelo Esposito, 13-Luca Morisi, 12-Tommaso Castello, 11-Michele Campagnaro, 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Tito Tebaldi, 8-Sergio Parisse, 7-Abraham Steyn, 6-Sebastien Negri, 5-Dean Budd, 4-David Sisi, 3-Simone Ferrari, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1-Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: 16-Luca Bigi, 17-Cherif Traore, 18-Tiziano Pasquali, 19-Federico Ruzza, 20-Jimmy Tuivaiti, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Ian McKinley, 23-Edoardo Padovani

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