Six Nations 2022: Scotland make five changes for Wales trip as flanker Jamie Ritchie ruled out of tournament | Rugby Union News

Sam Skinner replaces Ritchie, who was injured during Scotland’s win over England in their Six Nations opener; Townsend has changed his entire starting front row, with Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally and WP Nel selected; Sione Tuipulotu replaces Sam Johnson at inside centre

Jamie Ritchie was injured in Scotland’s Six Nations opener against England

Gregor Townsend has made five changes for Scotland’s Six Nations trip to Wales following their tournament-opening victory over England.

Sam Skinner takes the place of Jamie Ritchie in the back row, after it was confirmed the 25-year-old will miss the rest of the tournament having undergone surgery on a hamstring injury suffered against England.

Townsend has changed the entire front row from the side that beat England at Murrayfield, inserting Pierre Schoeman, Stuart McInally and WP Nel to his starting IV, while Sione Tuipulotu replaces Sam Johnson at inside centre.

Sione Tuipulotu will start at inside centre against Wales

Zander Fagerson, George Turner and Rory Sutherland drop to the bench, while Sam Johnson has been released to play for Glasgow on Friday.

Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist will win his 50th cap at lock.

Glasgow flanker Rory Darge is among the substitutes and will win his first cap if he gets off the bench. Scrum-half Ben White, who scored a debut try against England last weekend, is again a replacement, alongside Blair Kinghorn and Cam Redpath.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Stuart McInally, 3 WP Nel, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Sam Skinner, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Magnus Bradbury, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Ben White, 22 Blair Kinghorn, 23 Cameron Redpath