Six Nations 2024: Rory Darge & Grant Gilchrist back for Scotland against France

Scotland co-captain Rory Darge is fit to start against France at Murrayfield on the second week of the Six Nations.

Grant Gilchrist returns from a ban to replace the injured Richie Gray in the second row.

Kyle Rowe continues at full-back as Blair Kinghorn recovers from a knee problem.

Andy Christie earns a place on the bench, with Dempsey promoted to the starting line-up.

Dempsey takes the number eight jersey, with Matt Fagerson shifting to blindside flanker and Darge operating on the openside.

France started with a 38-17 home defeat by defending champions Ireland, while Scotland clung on for a dramatic 27-26 victory in Cardiff.

Scotland and France met three times in 2023, with Gregor Townsend’s side falling to a 32-21 Six Nations defeat in Paris, while the spoils were shared in two warm-up games before the World Cup.

The visitors make two changes as Louis Bielle-Biarrey starts ahead of Yoram Moefana on the wing and lock Cameron Woki replaces Paul Willemse, who was given a four week ban for his red card last week.

Scotland: Rowe; Steyn, H Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-capt), White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge (co-capt), Dempsey.

Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Christie, G Horne, Healy, Redpath.

France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey, Jailbert, Lucu; Baille Mauvaka, Antonio, Woki, Gabrillagues, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Marchand, Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Tuilagi, Roumat, Boudehent, Le Garrec, Moefana.