Magnificent Seven Named In Scotland Squad
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has selected seven Edinburgh players, including Jim Hamilton, in a 30-strong Scotland squad for the opening two matches against France and Wales in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations Championship._Lock Hamilton, who missed the Autumn Tests because of a knee injury, is joined in the squad by prop Allan Jacobsen, hooker Ross Ford, flanker Alan MacDonald, centre Nick De Luca, stand-off Phil Godman and full-back Chris Paterson.The RBS 6 Nations campaign starts at Murrayfield on Sunday 7 February (kick off 3pm) when France visit EH12 (for tickets please click here). Remember the Franco-Scots battle starts this weekend when Parisian giants Stade Francais visit Murrayfield (23 January, kick off 3.45pm). Come and watch top-class rugby at a great value price (from as little as _5 for Juniors, call 0131 346 5180)._Glasgow’s Richie Gray and Ruaridh Jackson are the two uncapped players chosen by Robinson.Gray, 20, made his Scotland A debut in the triumph over Tonga two months ago._Ruaridh Jackson, 21, who has recently returned to action following a shoulder injury, helped Scotland A to victory against their French counterparts in the IRB Nations Cup in Romania last summer._The squad also includes prop Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), lock Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh) and stand-off Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) who missed the recent Autumn Tests, Dickinson and Hamilton through injury._Robinson said: Richie Gray has worked hard to win a place in the squad and has applied himself consistently when playing for Glasgow, and we were also pleased to see Ruaridh back in action there._’dan has been playing well and it’s an asset for us to have someone of his ability in the squad._The 30 selected players for the matches against France on Sunday 7 February at Murrayfield (kick-off 3pm) and against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 13 February (kick-off 2pm) will train at St Andrews in a four day camp beginning on Monday._Four other players have been invited to train at that camp the Edinburgh trio Mike Blair, Ross Rennie and the uncapped grandson of the late Bill McLaren, Jim Thompson; and the uncapped Glasgow Warriors prop Jon Welsh._In addition Toulon full-back Rory Lamont may join the squad for the French game provided he comes through a club game next Wednesday (27 January) unscathed._Scotland squad (sponsor Murray) for the RBS 6 Nations Championship matches against France and Wales:_Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)_Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans, Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) and Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais)._Invited to train with the squad at St Andrews (25-28 January): Mike Blair (who is recovering from an ankle injury), Ross Rennie and Jim Thompson (all Edinburgh) and Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors)._Not considered due to illness/injury: Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh) and Jason White (Clermont Auvergne).Less than 10,000 tickets remain to see Scotland take on France on Sunday 7 February, at Murrayfield kick-off 3pm._Tickets can be purchased in person, from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre on Roseburn Street, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm; via the 24-hour hotline on 0844 335 3933 or online at www.scottishrugby.org_There are no ticket sales on match day and no public car parking at Murrayfield Stadium.