Scotland team to face Ireland at Rugby World Cup as Gregor Townsend hands Ali Price shock role for shootout

Gregor Townsend has handed Ali Price a surprise starting role in Scotland's Pool B Rugby World Cup shoot-out against Ireland.

The Dark Blues boss has made just one change from the side which started the campaign against South Africa with Ben White dropping out. Blair Kinghorn will win his 50th cap at the Stade de France on Saturday night where the task is to win by at least eight points while denying the Irish a bonus point being enough to progress and a claim quarter-final place.

Townsend had made a dozen alterations from the team which hammered Romania 84-0 last weekend but the inclusion of Price as playmaker alongside Finn Russell is the eye-raiser with White not listed amongst the replacements. Scotland's last triumph over the side ranked number one on the planet was back in 2017 at Murrayfield and haven't won away against the Irish for 22 years.

Skipper Jamie Richie has recovered from a concussion to lead the side while loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and tighthead Zander Fagerson return to the front row alongside hooker George Turner. The replacements comprise backline options George Horne and Ollie Smith, as Townsend opts for a six-strong forwards bench bolstered by front row reinforcements Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and WP Nel, as well as Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson and Luke Crosbie.

Scotland team to face Ireland: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ali Price, Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Luke Crosbie, George Horne, Ollie Smith.