Jack Dempsey has been passed fit to return to Scotland’s starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with France at Murrayfield ina huge boost for Gregor Townsend’s side.
The influential back-rower’s championship initially appeared to be over after he suffered a bicep injury in last month’s win over England.
But after sitting out the victory away to Wales last time out, Dempsey rejoined the squad to prepare for this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with France.
Having proved his fitness in training this week, the 31-year-old has been restored as one of five personnel changes to the team that started in Cardiff.
Four of those are in the pack, including the entire front row. Props Pierre Schoeman and D’Arcy Rae start in place of Nathan McBeth, who drops out entirely, and Zander Fagerson, who is on the bench. George Turner replaces Dave Cherry at hooker.
Gregor Brown, who started in the back row against Wales, is moved into the second row, with lock Max Williamson dropping out.
The only change in the back-line sees Darcy Graham start in place of fellow Edinburgh wing Duhan van der Merwe.
Burgeoning Edinburgh back-rower Freddy Douglas, 20, is included in a Six Nations squad for the first time as a substitute, with Townsend opting for a 6-2 bench split. Hooker Ewan Ashman, who started the opener in Italy, is also among the replacements after missing the last two matches.
Scotland could move to the top of the table with a bonus-point victory while the French could seal the title with a win at Murrayfield.
Scotland team to face France at Murrayfield on Saturday 7 March
Starting XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 D’Arcy Rae; 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell; 11 Kyle Steyn, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Darcy Graham; 15 Blair Kinghorn.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Josh Bayliss; 22 George Horne, 23 Tom Jordan.
