Hogg To Make First Scotland Start Against France

Hours after his Warriors teammates play table-topping Leinster in a vital RaboDirect PRO12 match at Firhill, full-back/centre Stuart Hogg will make his first Scotland start in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against France at Murrayfield, in a side where Graeme Morrison, Rory Lamont, Richie Gray and John Barclay also feature.There are spots on the bench for fellow Glasgow stars Chris Cusiter, Ed Kalman and Al Kellock while Duncan Weir, another substitute, could make his international debut.Hours after his Warriors teammates play table-topping Leinster in a vital RaboDirect PRO12 match at Firhill, full-back/centre Stuart Hogg will make his first Scotland start in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against France at Murrayfield, in a side where Graeme Morrison, Rory Lamont, Richie Gray and John Barclay also feature.There are spots on the bench for fellow Glasgow stars Chris Cusiter, Ed Kalman and Al Kellock while Duncan Weir, another substitute, could make his international debut.Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: ‘stuart Hogg did well off the bench in Cardiff, stood out in the A team victory over England Saxons and has been one of Glasgow’s most consistent performers this season. He fully deserves his first start.Hogg, a product of the Hawick club who comes from a renowned rugby family, said: It’s a dream come true to play international rugby._ When I was a kid we’d play full contact rugby in the street in the Weensland area of Hawick. I’d be about five and there would be kids there up to about 12 or 13-years-old and you’d always think about what it would be like to play for Scotland. Now Ive got the opportunity to win for Scotland at Murrayfield – brilliant. Robinson acknowledged that the ankle injury sustained by Max Evans against Wales earlier this month and which ruled him out of this game influenced his selection.Graeme Morrison has worked hard back at Glasgow and captained the team in their games against Scarlets and Connacht._ He is a good ball carrier and has something to prove on his return to the Scotland team, noted Robinson.CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE WARRIORS v LEINSTER GAME AT FIRHILL ON SATURDAY, KICK-OFF 6pmSunday’s match is a 67,144 full-house at Murrayfield and supporters are again reminded to allow extra time to reach the stadium on account of ongoing road and tram works in Edinburgh, while supporters travelling by train from the north, north-east, Tayside and Fife are also advised of engineering works being carried out by Network Rail which will extend their journey times._There will be extensive pre-match entertainment in the stadium and its grounds and two recently retired Scotland players will deliver the match ball pre-match.Supporters have the chance to acclaim Nathan Hines, the 77-times-capped lock and back-row forward who brought a heady mix of aggression and skill to the Scotland jersey over 11 years; and Dan Parks, the 67-times-capped stand-off, who proved Scotland’s match-winner on many occasions in his eight year international career, during which he became Scotland’s record drop-goal holder with some 17 strikes. Scotland team (sponsor RBS) to play France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Sunday 26 February, kick-off 3pm 15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap14 Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 28 caps, 6 tries, 30 points13 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 62 caps, 8 tries, 40 points12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps, 3 tries, 15 points11 Lee Jones (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps10 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 caps, 1 try, 1 conversion, 2 penalties, 13 points9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) 77 caps, 7 tries, 35 points1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby) 62 caps2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 55 caps, 2 tries, 10 points CAPTAIN3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 10 caps4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps5 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 36 caps, 1 try, 5 points6 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 34 caps, 2 tries 10 points7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) 13 caps8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 capsSubstitutes16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 31 caps, 2 tries, 10 points17 Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap18 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 38 caps, 1 try, 5 points19 Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks) 15 caps20 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 57 caps, 3 tries, 15 points21 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby) 31 caps, 1 try, 5 pointsNot considered due to injury: Max Evans (Castres), Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) and Kelly Brown (Saracens).Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)._ Assistant referees: Alain Rolland and Simon McDowell (both Ireland)._TMO: Geoff Warren (England)_