Six Nations 2024: Kinghorn, Steyn & Ritchie return for Scotland against England

Jamie Ritchie has “accepted the challenge” of losing the Scotland captaincy, says Gregor Townsend, after recalling the flanker for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup meeting with England.

Ritchie, replaced as captain before the tournament, started the opening win in Wales before being dropped from the squad for the home loss to France in round two.

“We believe this game will suit his strengths and the experience he can bring to the team as well will be a boost,” said head coach Townsend.

“Jamie’s really accepted the challenge that was there about a month ago, that there was increased competition in the back row – for that reason, [he is] no longer going to be captain.

“He’s played two games for Edinburgh since then and one for Scotland down in Cardiff and he’s played well.”

Toulouse’s Kinghorn, 27, had missed Scotland’s first two games because of a knee injury and replaces Harry Paterson.

Matt Fagerson vacates blindside flanker as Ritchie returns, while Steyn takes over from Kyle Rowe on the right wing. Steyn was a late withdrawal from the team to face France after his wife went into labour.

There is no place in the squad for Rowe, Paterson or Fagerson, with Townsend opting for an unchanged bench.

‘Probably shouldn’t be most important game – but it is’

England, who have lost the past three Calcutta Cup contests, have beaten Italy away and Wales at home so far in this year’s championship.

Townsend has urged his side to respond to their France heartbreak by retaining the Calcutta Cup in a fixture he admits carries extra significance.

“When you’re on the back of a defeat, you have to obviously win and bounce back with a victory,” said Townsend. “You’re not thinking now of the championship. We’ll see where we are after Saturday.

“The focus is on this game because it’s our most important game of the season, most important game for our supporters.

“We do play for a trophy in among the championship and triple crown and other trophies but this one is one that we’re focused on more than the others.

“It probably shouldn’t be the case but it is. It’s history, it’s emotion and we’ve seen the impact on Scottish supporters when we do manage to get a victory in this fixture so that’ll drive us on Saturday.”

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

Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Skinner, Christie, Horne, Healy, Redpath.