Rugby: Stuart Hogg back for 6 Nations opener

Stuart Hogg is back to face Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

Full back Stuart Hogg, who missed the autumn with a wrist injury, will face Ireland on Sunday. Scott Johnson gives 6 Nations debuts to centre Alex Dunbar, lock Tim Swinson, flanker Ryan Wilson and centre Duncan Taylor.

Ireland have called up Isaac Boss, the Ulster scrum-half who starred against England Saxons last weekend, because of a calf injury to Eoin Reddan.

Les Kiss, assistant coach, said, "We'll give Eoin until the end of the week. It's very unlikely he's going to be there. Bossy is ready to step up if required. Ireland are expected to pick Conor Murray at scrum-half."

The team to face Scotland is named today.

Rhys Priestland, who will wear Wales' No 10 jersey against Italy on Saturday, hopes he can be persuaded to play at home next season. The fly-half is one of several top Welsh players who are out of contract in May and hoping for a settlement to the dispute between the regional teams and union.

"The sooner I can sort it the better," Priestland said.

"For the next couple of years, it would be better if I stayed, but nothing is set in stone."

Dan Lydiate will return to training today after travelling to France on Tuesday for the birth of his first child.

Bath's Kyle Eastmond will make his debut for England Saxons tomorrow night against Scotland A at Scotstoun in Glasgow.

The centre, who won two caps for the full England team in Argentina last June, has been released from the main 6 Nations squad to gain more international experience.

Eastmond's Bath team-mate, winger Semesa Rokoduguni, will also make his first Saxons start alongside Adam Thompstone and Dan Robson.

SCOTLAND: Hogg; Maitland, Dunbar, Taylor, Lamont; Weir, Laidlaw; Grant, Ford, Low, Swinson, Hamilton, Wilson, Brown, Denton. Subs: MacArthur, Dickinson, Cross, Gray, Beattie, Cusiter, Scott, Evans.

- Daily Mail