The China Mail - Scotland make three changes for crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland

Injuries have forced Townsend into selecting a new second row, with Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist replacing Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, both sidelined following last week's stunning 50-40 win over France at Murrayfield.

Zander Fagerson starts at tighthead prop, having been a replacement against the defending champions, with D'Arcy Rae moving to the bench.

Scotland, level with leaders France on 16 points, can seal their first Six Nations crown on Saturday if they manage a better result in Dublin than the French do against England in Paris.

But Townsend played down talk of a shock title win for the Scots, who were last crowned champions in 1999 -- the final year of the Five Nations era.

"We've not talked about that," Townsend said after naming his side on Thursday. "It's really another opportunity to play."

He added: "That performance (against France) was close to the best that we've seen from this group and from probably any Scotland team.

"The expectations might be there to repeat that performance but what we want to see from it is are they physically ready? They're fresh."

Both Ireland, who still have an outside chance of being crowned Six Nations champions, and Scotland will be competing for the Triple Crown at Lansdowne Road.

Scotland have not won in Dublin since 2010 and have also lost their past 11 games against Ireland in all competitions.

Scotland lost their opening match of this year's Six Nations in Italy but bounced back to beat England and Wales before ending France's hopes of a Grand Slam.

Townsend has retained the same back division that featured against France.

Player of the match Kyle Steyn, who scored two tries, is on one wing with Darcy Graham, who also grabbed a double at Murrayfield to top Scotland's list of all-time try-scorers with 37, on the other.

Blair Kinghorn is again at full-back, with captain Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones forming the centre partnership.

Scrum-half Ben White is named alongside inspirational stand-off Finn Russell.

Among the replacements, lock Alex Craig, back row Magnus Bradbury and Kyle Rowe, who will cover the back-three positions, feature for the first time in this Six Nations.

Ireland are due to name their side later Thursday.

Scotland (15-1)

Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Kyle Steyn; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson; Grant Gilchrist, Max Williamson; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, D'arcy Rae, Alex Craig, Magnus Bradbury, George Horne, Kyle Rowe, Tom Jordan

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

L.Kwan--ThChM