Ready to bounce back.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named his team for this weekend’s crucial Six Nations clash with France at Murrayfield.

Townsend has made six changes to the starting Scotland side that was defeated on the opening day of the Six Nation by Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The changes are split evenly between the backs and forwards with scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw, wing Sean Maitland and centre Pete Horne promoted from the bench into the backline, while lock Grant Gilchrist and back-row Ryan Wilson do likewise into the pack.

Tighthead prop Simon Berghan is the only starting addition from outwith last weekend’s match-day 23, becoming available at the end of a six-week suspension.

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend, said:

“As a group we’re delighted to be playing at home in front of another sell-out crowd at BT Murrayfield and are looking forward to putting in a performance that can energise our supporters.

“To do that we need to out-work the opposition and be more accurate in a number of aspects of our play.

“We’ve seen a response from the players in training this week and that needs to continue into and through the 80-plus minutes of the match because France will pose a massive and immensely-physical challenge.”

Scotland team to play France

15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 56 caps
14. Tommy Seymour
13 Huw Jones
12. Pete Horne
11. Sean Maitland
10. Finn Russell
9. Greig Laidlaw VICE CAPTAIN

1. Gordon Reid
2. Stuart McInally
3. Simon Berghan
4. Grant Gilchrist
5. Jonny Gray
6. John Barclay CAPTAIN
7. Hamish Watson
8. Ryan Wilson VICE CAPTAIN

Replacements:
16. Scott Lawson
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Jon Welsh
19. Ben Toolis
20. David Denton
21. Ali Price
22. Chris Harris
23. Blair Kinghorn