Scotland change 13 for Romania Rugby World Cup Pool B clash; Javan Sebastian makes first start

Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Richie Gray, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson rested for Scotland’s Rugby World Cup match against Romania; Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones, Rory Darge on the bench; Grant Gilchrist as Scots captain in Lille; tighthead prop Javan Sebastian in for the first Scotland Test start

New Edinburgh pro Javan Sebastian will make his first start for Scotland in Saturday’s must-win match against World Cup pool B minnows Romania in Lille, while Gregor Townsend makes 13 changes to his XV.

Backs Chris Harris and Kyle Steyn are the only two players to retain their places in the squad after Sunday’s win over Tonga.

Stand-off Ben Healy plus back-rowers Hamish Watson and Luke Crosbie join 29-year-old Sebastian – who has won all six of his caps as a substitute – in their first appearance at the tournament.

Lock Grant Gilchrist will take over the captaincy in the absence of Edinburgh colleague Jamie Ritchie, who is undergoing concussion protocols.

Uncapped Glasgow hooker Johnny Matthews – called up last weekend – will get the chance to make his debut from the bench.

Key figures such as Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Richie Gray, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson have been left out of the 23 ahead of next weekend’s clash with Ireland, while established starters Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones and Rory Darge will be on the court. Bank.

Gregor Townsend has made 13 changes to the Scotland starting XV to take on Romania on Saturday

Scotland must beat Romania with a bonus point to ensure they have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the match against Ireland in Paris.

“Hamish (Watson) has so much respect in the group. He and Grant Gilchrist will work with that attacking package and make sure we’re on target but also get the ball to the ruck quickly,” Townsend said.

“Cam (Redpath) did well off the bench against South Africa and the way he trained this week deserves his chance. Starting at a World Cup is a special achievement.

“There are players who deserve the opportunity to play at this World Cup. They have trained very well, so this is the right time to give them this opportunity.”

Second row Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland in Lille

“With a six-day turnaround (after the win over Tonga), we also want to keep players as fresh as possible.”

Should Scotland win as expected, they will face Ireland in their final pool match in Paris on Saturday, October 7, with a fighting chance to reach the knockout stages.

Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ali Price; 1 Jamie Bhatti, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 6 Luke Crosbie, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Rory Darge, 21 George Horne, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Huw Jones.