Redpath to make Scotland debut

Cameron Redpath, son of former Scotland rugby captain Bryan Redpath, is set to make his international debut this Saturday at Twickenham.
Cameron Redpath (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Cameron Redpath (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Cameron Redpath (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old Bath player will be lining up at centre for Scotland – having declared his preference to play for the nation, despite being born in France and raised in England.

Scotland head coach, former Gala ace Gregor Townsend, has given Redpath the chance among his team to face England in the opening round of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, in the 150th anniversary year of the first ever international match which was played between the two sides.

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Townsend said: “It’s always a pleasure to welcome a new player into our squad and we are looking forward to Cam Redpath winning his first cap on Saturday.

"We have been really impressed with Cam’s contributions in the time he has been with us in camp. There are a number of experienced players in the backline to help make his transition to Test rugby go as smoothly as possible, and he has the mindset and skillset to thrive at this level.”

Ex-Hawick star Stuart Hogg will lead the side, while former Gala and Hawick prop forward Rory Sutherland is in the front row.

There’s no place for ex-Hawick centre Darcy Graham – but Gary Graham, another former Gala player, will be on the bench.

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The Newcastle Falcons number eight, son of former Scotland prop and Hawick manager George Graham, returns to the squad after making his Scotland debut against Italy in 2019 and also playing that year against France.

To mark the occasion, each Scotland player in the starting XV will have the corresponding name from the 1871 team embroidered on to their shirt to connect with the side which faced England at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh in 1871.

“This most historic of fixtures against England is a great start to the 2021 Guinness Six Nations and a challenge we will fully embrace with the objective of playing to our potential and ultimately lifting our supporters in these difficult times,” said Townsend.

“We learned a lot about ourselves and where the game is going during our autumn campaign and we aim to build on this base during the next seven weeks. We are set for a huge challenge against England as we will be facing one of the best teams in the world.

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“The opportunity of competing for the Calcutta Cup against our oldest rivals is something to get Scots around the world excited about.”

The game kicks off on Saturday, February 6 at 4.45pm and is live on ITV Sport. The Scotland squad is:

15 Stuart Hogg (captain), 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Jamie Ritchie (vice-captain), 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson. Substitutes – 16 David Cherry, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 WP Nel, 19 Richie Gray, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh), 23 Huw Jones.