Gray returns for Scotland vs. South Africa

Rugby

Glasgow lock Jonny Gray has been recalled to the Scotland team for their game against South Africa this weekend as head coach Gregor Townsend attempts to beef up his pack for the visit of the Springboks.

Gray, 24, is one of six changes to the side that thrashed Fiji 54-17 on Saturday, and forms a much-changed second-row partnership with Edinburgh’s Ben Toolis.

Centre Huw Jones, who started his career in South Africa, also returns to the side along with vice-captain Stuart McInally.

Loose-head Gordon Reid and back-row Hamish Watson are the final changes made by head coach Townsend for the clash with the Springboks.

Sam Skinner moves to blind-side flanker, where he finished the victory over Fiji.

There is no place in the Scotland 23, however, for Newcastle flanker Gary Graham following his inclusion in Townsend’s initial training squad. Graham, 26, is yet to be capped by Scotland and also appeared in England’s Six Nations squad last year.

Saturday’s opponents South Africa have claimed a number of notable victories over the past few months, beating both New Zealand and France away.

“We expect them to be confrontational and powerful in their ball carrying, their defence and also at set-piece time,” Townsend said.

“What we’ve seen over the past few months is an ambition to move the ball from counter attack and a push to get their forwards passing the ball more.”

Scotland team to face South Africa

Hogg, Seymour, Jones, Horne, Maitland, Russell, Laidlaw, Reid, McInally, Nel, Toolis, Gray, Skinner, Watson, Wilson

Replacements: Brown, Dell, Berghan, Strauss, Ritchie, Price, Hastings, Harris

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