There is no place for (L-R) Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn or Darcy Graham in Scotland's starting line-up against Italy
Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham - the top two try-scorers in Scotland history - as well as British and Irish Lions Test full-back Blair Kinghorn have been left out of the side for the Six Nations opener against Italy.
Coach Gregor Townsend has opted for a back three of Bristol's Tom Jordan at full-back flanked by Glasgow Warriors wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie - who will make his first start in a Six Nations game - for Saturday's game in Rome.
Graham is among the replacements but Van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even in the matchday 23, with stand-off Adam Hastings and scrum-half George Horne the other backs cover.
Other than the shock omissions of three 2025 Lions tourists, Townsend's selection for Scotland's first game of the championship is otherwise predictable.
