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Dempsey to make first start as Scots eye Triple Crown / Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT - AFP/File
Dempsey to make first start as Scots eye Triple Crown
Jack Dempsey will make his first Scotland start, while Stuart Hogg wins his 100th cap, as the Dark Blues go in search of a Triple Crown against unbeaten Ireland in Sunday's Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
Glasgow No. 8 Dempsey joins the pack alongside lock Jonny Gray, included after Grant Gilchrist was banned after being sent off in a defeat by France last month.
Dempsey made his Scotland debut last year after a change in world rugby's eligibility rules allowed the Glasgow back-row to switch allegiance from his native Australia.
The 28-year-old will wear the No. 8 shirt, with Matt Fagerson moving to fill the flanker position vacated by Hamish Watson.
Scotland's third-round defeat by France ended their hopes of a Grand Slam.
But they will claim their first Triple Crown since 1990 if they win in Edinburgh against an Ireland team bidding for a clean sweep.
The Triple Crown is the reward for beating all three of the other "home" nations in any one tournament, comprising England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Scotland (15-1)
Stuart Hogg; Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Luke Crosbie, Jamie Ritchie (capt); Jonny Gray, Richie Gray; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Scott Cummings, Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris
Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)
(P.Werner--BBZ)
