Autumn Nations Series: Jamie Ritchie starts, Tom Jordan dropped as Gregor Townsend names Scotland side to face Wallabies

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Scotland and Australia lock horns in Edinburgh on Sunday in a mouthwatering Autumn Nations Series clash. Gregor Townsend has brought former captain Jamie Ritchie into his back row for the game, but the in-form Tom Jordan has to settle for a place on the bench with Blair Kinghorn favoured at full-back. Australia are looking for a third win in a row after beating England and Wales.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie will start against Australia on Sunday, but Tom Jordan has been dropped to the bench for the Autumn Nations Series clash at Murrayfield.

Ritchie comes in to replace the injured Jack Dempsey for the Edinburgh showdown, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The flanker will pull on the No. 6 shirt, with Matt Fagerson moving to No. 8 as he earns his 50th cap.

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Versatile Glasgow Warriors back Jordan has impressed for the Scots at full-back this Autumn since making his international debut in the opening win over Fiji.

But he has been named on the bench as head coach Gregor Townsend opts for experience, with Blair Kinghorn starting at full-back and Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham on the wing.

The Scots are looking to finish their Autumn with a third win from four matches, following victories over Fiji and Portugal and a defeat to world champions South Africa.

"[If we win] it will give us a massive boost going into the Six Nations because we're playing a quality side," Townsend said.

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"It'll be frustrating if we don't deliver a performance that we've been working towards. If we don't at least match that performance of South Africa - that's what we're building towards."

The pack is unchanged from the one that faced South Africa two weeks ago, other than Ritchie’s introduction.

The backline is a familiar one too, with Ben White and Finn Russell linking up at half-back and the centre partnership of captain Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones continuing.

Hooker Ewan Ashman is flanked by props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson, while Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings form the second row and Rory Darge completes the back row alongside Fagerson and Ritchie.

Graham is the only survivor from the side that thrashed Portugal 59-21 last time out.

Scotland have so far earned handsome but expected wins over Fiji and Portugal either side of a hard-fought defeat to the Springboks.

The visit of the Wallabies will be a big test, as Joe Schmidt’s side look to continue their perfect start and set up the chance for a home nations Grand Slam when they travel to Ireland a week later, something they have not achieved in 40 years.

The Wallabies beat England 42-37 at Twickenham in their opening Test, before thrashing Wales 52-20 in Cardiff

Australia have made six changes from the side that beat Wales in Cardiff, including a Test debut for wing Harry Potter.

"The week has been complicated, with the freezing conditions ruling out training fields but the group have adapted well to the situation," Schmidt said.

"The core of the Scotland team has been together for a number of years. They’re cohesive and combative and we will need to be at our best on Sunday."

Highlights: Graham marks international return with four tries as Scotland rout Fiji

Video credit: TNT Sports

Scotland v Australia teams

Scotland: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (c), Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Richarsdson, Sutherland, Hurd, Craig, Bayliss, Horne, Rowe, Jordan.

Australia: Wright, Kellaway, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Williams, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson (c).

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Nonggorr, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Jorgensen.

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