EDINBURGH — Scotland coach Gregor Townsend named Blair Kinghorn at fullback and Duhan van der Merwe on the wing for the Six Nations showdown with Wales on Saturday. The pair replace injured scrumhalf Jamie Dobie and an unnamed starter, bolstering a side coming off mixed results.

Van der Merwe, Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer with 28 in 44 Tests, takes Dobie’s spot on the left wing. Kinghorn, sidelined earlier by injury, slots in at No. 15. Townsend’s tweaks come after Scotland fell 27-25 to Italy in Rome two weeks ago but stunned England 52-0 at Murrayfield on Feb. 3.

“Duhan brings power and finishing we need,” Townsend said in a team announcement Thursday. “Blair’s speed and kicking game will test Wales’ defense.” The changes aim to exploit weaknesses in a Welsh team missing several stars, including captain Dewi Lake.

Scotland has dominated recent meetings, winning the past three Six Nations clashes against Wales: 35-7 in Cardiff last year, 20-17 at Murrayfield in 2023, and 45-24 two years prior. The Cardiff match two years ago ended 27-26 in Scotland’s favor after a late penalty.

Townsend shuffled his backline to counter Wales coach Warren Gatland’s rebuild. Rory Hutchinson starts at stand-off alongside Finn Russell at fly-half. Up front, Pierre Schoeman packs down at loosehead prop with captain Rory Darge at openside flanker.

Wales, winless so far after losses to England and France, host at the Millennium Stadium. Kickoff is 4:45 p.m. local time. Scotland sits second in the table with six points from two games; a win would keep title hopes alive.

Van der Merwe last scored twice in the England rout. Kinghorn, a Toulon recruit, adds counter-attacking threat. Townsend praised their form in club rugby, where Van der Merwe terrorized defenses for Edinburgh.

Injuries have hit Scotland hard. Dobie, 21, limped off in training with an ankle issue. Others like WP Nel and Kyle Steyn drop to the bench. Wales counters with young guns like Rio Dyer and Mason Grady.

Townsend eyes a fourth straight win over Wales. “We’ve prepared for their set-piece focus,” he added. The match caps a round where Ireland faces Italy and France plays England.