Eight Warriors in Scotland squad for Six Nations opener

• 31 January 2019

Gregor Townsend has named eight Glasgow players in his match day 23 for this Saturday’s Guinness 6 Nations opener against Italy at BT Murrayfield.

Sam Johnson will make his international debut at inside centre, partnering Warriors teammate Huw Jones in midfield.

Stuart Hogg starts at full-back and is named Vice-Captain, Tommy Seymour joining him in the back three.

Ryan Wilson packs down at the back of the scrum, starting at number 8.

On the bench, Jamie Bhatti is loose-head prop cover and Ali Price and Adam Hastings will look to make in impact as replacement half-backs.

Scotland team to play Italy in the Guinness Six Nations

Saturday 2 February, kick-off 2.15pm – live on BBC

1. Allan Dell (Edinburgh) - 17 caps

2. Stuart McInally VICE-CAPTAIN (Edinburgh) - 22 caps

3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) - 26 caps

4. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) - 14 caps

5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) - 28 caps

6. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) - 3 caps

7. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) - 6 caps

8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) - 41 caps

9. Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Clermont Auvergne) - 66 caps

10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) - 40 caps

11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) - 7 caps

12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) - uncapped

13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) - 19 caps

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) - 46 caps

15. Stuart Hogg VICE-CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) - 65 caps

Substitutes

16. Jake Kerr (Leicester Tigers) - uncapped

17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) - 11 caps

18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) - 14 caps

19. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) - uncapped

20. Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks) - 17 caps

21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) - 19 caps

22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) - 7 caps

23. Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons) - 6 caps

Squad players unavailable through injury: Jonny Gray (shoulder), George Horne (shoulder), Pete Horne (knee), Lee Jones (knee), Sean Maitland (hamstring), Grant Stewart (shoulder).