| Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 26 August Kick-off: 17:30 BST |
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Gregor Townsend insists he was not tempted to rest key players for Scotland’s final World Cup warm-up against Georgia on Saturday.
The head coach has made six changes to the XV that started in France two weeks ago, with Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham and Ben White all returning among the backs. Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry and Sam Skinner will start in the pack.
However, key players such as captain Jamie Ritchie and playmaker Finn Russell all retain their places.
“Getting players to the World Cup is just one thing, getting players in their best form and the team playing its best rugby is what is important here,” said Townsend.
“We’re hoping to beat South Africa, the world champions and the number three team in the world, in our first game, and we’re not going to do that if players haven’t had match experience and another opportunity to improve as a team.
“There are some changes and that’s us either looking at more minutes for other players or looking at other combinations, as we finalise in our minds what that final 23 will be come September 10.”
Scotland will open their World Cup Pool B campaign against defending champions South Africa on 10 September in Marseille.
Townsend’s side will also face Tonga, Romania and familiar foes Ireland in France. Levan Maisashvili’s Georgia are in Pool C with Australia, Fiji, Portugal and Wales.
The Scots failed to get out of their pool in Japan four years ago. However, they have beaten Italy and France in Edinburgh earlier in their summer series.
“We want to give players another chance to build on the performances so far,” Townsend added.
“As a team, we have to take our game up to another level as we move towards the World Cup, so playing as many of those combinations that we believe will play against South Africa in two weeks’ time is really important.
“Not only do you get to play the game, you get to train in the build-up to the game – the starting team trains together – so another week of that to build cohesion is crucial so that we play close to our best rugby against South Africa.”
Scotland: Ollie Smith, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie (capt), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Javan Sebastian, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Ben Healy, Chris Harris.
