Six Nations 2026: Scotland drop Van der Merwe, Graham & Kinghorn

Analysis by BBC Sport Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English

Outside Scotland, this selection is going to cause sharp intakes of breath. Maybe inside Scotland, or in parts of it, this selection is going to cause sharp intakes of breath.

It really shouldn’t.

Yes, Blair Kinghorn has been a shoo-in at 15 for the longest time, but there are mistakes in his game that tend to come tumbling out when Scotland are under the pump.

The inclusion of Tom Jordan – playing his in his third-best position after 10 and 12 – is a nod to having a more mentally robust outfit when the heat comes on. Kinghorn will get plenty of game-time in this Six Nations, but not in week one.

Yes, again, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe are record-breaking mainstays, but the pair of them have been dragged down by Edinburgh’s malaise and, quite honestly, it would have been a shock had Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie not started.

They’re both in flying form and are both leaders in their own way. Mental fortitude has been a problem for Scotland, but not for Glasgow.

Steyn and Dobie were nailed on to start if form over reputation was any sort of guide.

Grant Gilchrist survives the challenge of a battalion of second rows, but there are two seriously impressive operators to come off the bench.

Gregor Brown is in at cover at six but he’s just as good at lock. And Max Williamson is the size of a house. You’re getting great impact there. Williamson was injured this time last year and missed the entire tournament. Big chance for the big man.

With three games in three weeks and five in six weeks, Gregor Townsend is going to use his squad more than ever, I suspect.

There are a lot of top-notch players turning out for the A team on Friday night or not turning out at all this weekend.

We’ll be seeing some of them down the track for sure. The schedule and the inevitability of injuries within that schedule will demand it.

That bench looks good. George Horne is having a whale of a season and what an impact he might have in Rome. Graham, if at his best, gives you massive X-factor. Adam Hastings deserves to be back in the frame.

It’s encouraging on paper. Now for the reality.