Scotland spring Six Nations surprise team decision for opener against Italy

The versatile Bristol Bears player is comfortable in a number of positions but has featured primarily at 10 for his club since making the move from Glasgow Warriors in the summer.

However, he will be at 15 for Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico, with Blair Kinghorn not included in the match-day 23. Jordan played at full-back in Scotland’s last game, at home to Tonga in November.

Elsewhere, head coach Gregor Townsend has picked two Glasgow Warriors players for the wing berths. Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie have both been in outstanding form for their club this season, particularly in Europe and they get the nod ahead of Edinburgh duo Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham. It is Dobie’s first start in the Six Nations.

Graham is named among the replacements but there is no place in the 23 for van der Merwe, Scotland men’s leading try-scorer of all time.

Another Glasgow pairing, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, is selected in the centre, with Tuipulotu captaining the side. Finn Russell is at stand-off and Ben White at scrum-half.

The pack is at full strength, with Ewan Ashman and Jack Dempsey both being passed fit following neck and foot injuries, respectively.

Hooker Ashman will have Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson alongside him in the front row. The second row is made up of Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist, with flankers Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge joining No 8 Dempsey in the back row.

Townsend has opted for a 5-3 split of forwards and backs on the bench. George Turner is the replacement hooker, with Nathan McBeth and Elliot Millar Mills covering at loosehead and tighthead. Glasgow pair Max Williamson and Gregor Brown cover the other forward positions.

George Horne, Adam Hastings and Graham are the backs on the bench.

Scotland team (v Italy, Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Saturday, 2:10pm GMT)

15. Tom Jordan; 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu (capt), 11. Jamie Dobie; 10. Finn Russell (vice-capt), 9. Ben White; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge (vice-capt), 8. Jack Dempsey. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Elliot Millar Mills, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. George Horne, 22. Adam Hastings, 23. Darcy Graham.

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