(Reuters) – Scotland have selected a strong starting XV for their one-off test against the United States in Washington D.C. on Friday, including a return to international rugby for flyhalf Adam Hastings in his first appearance since 2022.
Coach Gregor Townsend has rotated his team from the side who thumped Canada 73-12 last weekend, with Hastings to lead a near first-choice backline.
He partners scrumhalf George Horne, with centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones reunited, and a back three of wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn, and fullback Kyle Rowe.
Jamie Ritchie will earn a 50th cap at flanker, where he forms a back row with Rory Darge and number eight Matt Fagerson.
The lock pairing is new as Alex Craig wins a first cap in three years and will be partnered by Scott Cummings.
Townsend has also selected a new front row with props Pierre Schoeman and Murphy Walker either side of hooker Ewan Ashman.
Scotland have beaten the U.S. five times in six meetings.
Their only defeat came in 2018 when the U.S. secured a famous 30-29 victory, which was their first win over a Tier 1 nation since they beat France at the 1924 Olympic Games
Team: 15-Kyle Rowe, 14-Kyle Steyn, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Sione Tuipulotu (co-captain), 11-Duhan van der Merwe, 10-Adam Hastings, 9-George Horne, 8-Matt Fagerson, 7-Rory Darge (co-captain), 6-Jamie Ritchie, 5-Scott Cummings, 4-Alex Craig, 3-Murphy Walker, 2-Ewan Ashman, 1-Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16-Robbie Smith, 17-Rory Sutherland, 18-Elliot Millar Mills, 19-Max Williamson, 20-Luke Crosbie, 21-Jamie Dobie, 22-Ross Thompson, 23-Matt Currie.
(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)
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