Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend on reports he is set to join Newcastle Red Bulls after the World Cup: "It's pure speculation, I've not signed a contract beyond the World Cup with anybody.

"It's a story that is being put out there to try to disrupt ahead of this game or next week's game against England.

"Not at all, it's just something that comes out, things like these, ahead of the England game in particular.

"There's no truth I've signed the contract beyond the World Cup and my focus is on the Scotland team right now and hopefully up to the World Cup."

Your wish is my command, Tom. Quotes incoming from Gregor Townsend on the Newcastle link.

They're pretty strong.

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer

It will be interesting to hear what Gregor Townsend has to say about the report in the Daily Telegraph yesterday that he is joining them after the World Cup. It just supports everything we have heard on the grapevine. If Scotland start well in the Six Nations then what he does in 2027 is not going to have much of an impact. Nobody will care. If they start badly then all sorts will get thrown at him in the here and now - distracted by his links with Red Bull and Newcastle and so on.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Scotland media conference

Gregor Townsend has dismissed the reports he is poised to become Newcastle Red Bulls head coach after the World Cup next year.

He says it is “speculation” and that he had not signed a contract with anyone and is fully focused on Scotland.

The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday Townsend is ready to take over the club in 2027. He is already a consultant to Red Bull's rugby operation.

Frazer: Not too much to argue with there, Steyn and Dobie had to start. Jordan more of a surprise, I’d maybe have gone for Kinghorn over him with Jordan on the bench instead of Hastings. But what do I know?!

Alan: Townsend perhaps signalling a change in MO from creating wonder moments on the pitch to prioritising score creation and efficiency. Too often VDM and KH can go missing when the game is not moving your way, particularly away from home. That being said, it's the England game that will define Scotland's championship momentum.

RodB: Totally agree with the backs but we've gone same old same old in the pack. Gilchrist? I'd start Brown I think that Hiddlestone should be on the bench. And I'd look at other young guns from the Glasgow pack - they've been immense

Loads of you are getting in touch with terrific analysis on the squad. You knowledgeable lot! Keep them coming.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements: George Turner, Nathan McBeth, Elliot Millar-Mills, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Darcy Graham.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Oriam

Confirmation Blair Kinghorn is not injured - he will travel to Rome with Scotland as the 24th man.

Image source, SNS

Lezza: Happy to see Duhan and Kinghorn dropped. Kinghorn particularly has been inconsistent for Scotland and Duhan's form of late has been poor.

Keir: not controversial... Graham is one of the best in the world. Awful decision

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer

The big theme for Scotland this time around is mental resilience and learning lessons from what has being going wrong for them, particuarly in November and especially against Argentina.

This lack of composure was, of course, screamingly evident in their last visit to Rome two years ago.

They were 12 points in front - scoring three early tries - and managed to blow it. Jordan, Steyn, Dobie are all tough nuts on that score.

Nine Glasgow Warriors in the starting team and another five on the bench. Franco Smith has done a lot to shape this Scotland side.

It's worth saying, in response to Paul's comment below, as far as we are aware Blair Kinhgorn is fit and has just not been selected for this game.

Gregor Townsend may say something different in his press conference, which starts at 10:00 GMT.

Rupert: McBeth backing up Schoeman at loose head is a big call I think. He's been good for Glasgow but Rory Sutherland has been an ever-present for a couple of years now.

Paul: Guessing Kinghorn is injured on basis Hastings in on the bench?

Chris: Doesn't really matter who he picks. Scotland will be 4th or 5th with one good win. Same as it's been for the last 25 years.

That's the spirit, Chris.

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer

A huge call at full-back but it's one that has long been mooted. Blair Kinghorn is an exceptionally talented player but he has flaws in his game linked to his inherent risk-taking.

His flamboyance is a great strength when he's in full flow but it's also a weakness when Scotland are trying to tighten things up. Tom Jordan is just a steelier player, even though he's been playing most of his rugby at 10 for Bristol.

The nature of this Six Nations - three games in a row and only one fallow week - means that there could be significant changes for the Calcutta Cup even if Scotland were to win in Rome.

Managing the players' minutes will be a bigger feature this time around. Kinghorn (and Duhan van der Merwe) might well come back into the mix next week.

Burkey filed that as they were closing the doors on his plane to Rome, some man.

Do you agree with his or Tom's thoughts? Do you like the team?

Remember to share your views with us.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It’s testament to the form of Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie that leaving out Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham - numbers one and two in the list of record try-scorers - is not at all controversial.

Both Glasgow wings have been superb this season, while Graham will be out to make a big impact off the bench.

Blair Kinghorn being left out the 23 is a big call. He’s been Scotland’s nailed-on 15 for a long time.

It’s a huge show of faith in Bristol's Tom Jordan, who has looked at home in the Test Arena. Gregor Townsend looks to be shaking things up with this selection.

Tom English
BBC Scotland chief sports writer on Sportsound

We discussed this on the Scotland rugby podcast yesterday - a Scotland team with three scrum-halves in it. And there it is.

Jamie Dobie is one of them, of course. He's so deserving of his place on the wing (his adopted position at Glasgow). He's such a busy and effective player.

He started at nine for Glasgow in the famous game against Toulouse before Christmas and when George Horne came on just after the break, he moved to the wing.

He was terrific there yet again, And Horne? Well, he just lit it up and helped mastermind a sensational comeback.

Horne adding energy and pace off the bench on Saturday could be vital. Great to see him in the loop. What odds a while back that you've had a Scotland team without Kinghorn, Graham and Van der Merwe in it? Any odds you'd have liked.

There it is, the Scotland team which will open the Six Nations in Rome.

Some big calls - especially in the back three. No Blair Kinghorn or Duhan van der Merwe. You would never have seen a Scotland team without them a few seasons ago, when fit.

Let's get some reaction from our rugby experts Tom English and Andy Burke.

Scotland: Jordan; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Dobie; Russell, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Z Fagerson, Cummings, Gilchrist; M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Turner, McBeth, Millar-Mills, Williamson, Brown, Horne, Hastings, Graham.

As ever, Andy Burke and Tom English have you covered this Six Nations with the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

They will be doing three episodes a week, including reacting to the team announcement later.

Here is the latest episode to get you in the mood.

Rob: Will be interesting to see if Townsend goes for the 6/2 split which he used in the NZ game. The depth in the second and back row is strong this year. Brown and Williamson have been good for Glasgow and Ritchie finding form in 2026 at Perpignan.

Tam: How the whole squad is managed to help player welfare over the forthcoming weeks will determine the potential outcome of every squad. The way Gregor has introduced players to the Test arena over the years and players experiencing high pressured games in England and France will hopefully see us go well.

Send us your views.

Oh, the suspense.

Finishing touches must be getting put on team graphics etc, as we wait for the Scotland team to be announced...