Rugby World Cup 2023: Scotland name Darcy Graham in team for opening clash against South Africa
Darcy Graham has been passed fit to start Scotland's Rugby World Cup openeragainst South Africa on Sunday after recovering from his pre-tournament injury scare.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh wing - seventh on the national team's all-time scoring list - missed Scotland's last warm-up match with a quad strain but, after coming through training in Nice this week, has now been cleared to play.
Prop Zander Fagerson is also back in the team after being suspended for the last two summer Tests following his red card in the victory at home to France five weeks ago. The Glasgow front-rower goes into the match having played less than an hour of rugby since the end of last season.
In a selection featuring no real surprises, Jack Dempsey has got the nod over Matt Fagerson to start at No 8, with the latter on the bench.
Captain Jamie Ritchie and the burgeoning Rory Darge complete the back row, with the experienced Hamish Watson missing out on the 23.
Ali Price, Cam Redpath and Ollie Smith are the three backs selected for the bench, meaning there is no place in head coach Gregor Townsend's squad for in-form wing Kyle Steyn.
Scotland's forward replacements comprise hooker Dave Cherry, props Jamie Bhatti and WP Nel, as well as the versatile Scott Cummings and Fagerson.
In a notable development, Stuart McInally - who was cut from the squad at the end of last month - has travelled to France as injury cover for Ewan Ashman, who is recovering from an injury picked up in training this week which ruled him out of the match against South Africa.
McInally, who had already announced his intention to retire from rugby after the World Cup, has not joined the 33-player squad. Dave Cherry is the replacement hooker this weekend.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Rory Darge 8 Jack Dempsey
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Ollie Smith
Kolisi: South Africa ready for 'great' Scotland team
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has said their Rugby World Cup opener against a "great" Scotland team in Marseille on Sunday is the perfect opportunity to kick-start their title defence.
The Springboks have not enjoyed the best of starts at the last two World Cups, losing to Japan in 2015 and New Zealand four years ago.
However, that defeat to the All Blacks in 2019 galvanised the squad to play knock-out rugby from their second match, with the Springboks advancing through the pool and eventually lifting the trophy.
There is more expectation on them this time around, but Kolisi said having to play an in-form Scotland first up in a Pool B that also includes world No 1 Ireland has sharpened their focus.
"When it didn't go well in 2019, every game became a play-off for us and that was good," Kolisi told reporters. "I think any team would want to start like this, so that you can see where you are and then make your plans from there.
"A lot has been said about our pool, but at the end of the day you have to beat the best to win the World Cup. It doesn't matter how you do it."
Kolisi said Scotland would present a tough challenge but feels the Springboks' meticulous preparation will stand them in good stead.
"They are a great team, they have been playing amazingly, you can see that in their results. We give them all the respect, but we have prepared really well," he added.
"We have seen a lot of them and that is why we go into the game with confidence, because of the work we have put in."
