Jacobsen Hits 50 As Blair Returns For Scotland

Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen will win his 50th Scotland cap in Saturday’s EMC Autumn Test against Samoa at Pittodrie, with capital scrum-half Mike Blair returning to the bench.Scotland coach Andy Robinson has made one change in personnel from the team that started last week’s victory over world champions South Africa at Murrayfield._ Richie Vernon, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warrior, who enjoyed a considerable impact off the bench, will make his second start for Scotland at No 8, with Nathan Hines switching to his optimum berth of lock and Kelly Brown reverting to blindside flanker._On the bench, scrum-half Blair has recovered from the head knock he sustained against New Zealand and is preferred to Greig Laidlaw and Max Evans returns after his shoulder injury from the same game instead of Chris Paterson.Robinson said today: Our supporters were understandably delighted by our win against South Africa but that game is now history and we have to start afresh against quality international opposition in Samoa.’they will bring their own very physical, hard-running dimension to Saturday’s game and we need to be absolutely focused on upping our performance this weekend.Robinson went on: I thought Richie Vernon showed his mettle as an international rugby player when he came on for Scott MacLeod last Saturday and he has a chance to demonstrate those traits from the start on Saturday.I also want to congratulate Chunk (Allan Jacobsen) and Sean Lamont as this weekend will mark their 50th caps._ Both have had periods of injury adversity in their careers but they have shown the sort of determination we will need on Saturday to return from such experiences to be better players for it.Jacobsen becomes the 29th Scot, and Lamont the 30th, to reach the milestone, while Dan Parks equalled John Rutherford’s drop-goal record for Scotland when he landed his 12th such score last Saturday._ Scotland’s players will be undertaking a number of visits to primary and secondary schools in and around Aberdeen tomorrow (Thursday) and there is much excitement in the Granite City ahead of Saturday.Tickets are selling fast and a capacity attendance of 20,500 is being targeted. They cost _15, _20 and _30 for adults and _7.50, _10 and _15 for under-18s and students._ You can buy in four ways: online at www.scottishrugby.org; via the 24 hour hotline number 0844 335 3933 until 12 midnight on Friday; or in person from 9am-5pm from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Gate A, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh; or in person from the Aberdeen FC Ticket Centre at Pittodrie, or by telephone on_ 01224 631903._ Please note: there are no ticket sales on match day.Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Samoa in the EMC Autumn Test at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen on Saturday 27 November (kick-off 2.30pm)_15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 56 caps, 8 tries, 40 points_14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 17 caps, 4 tries, 20 points 13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 1 cap12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps, 3 tries, 15 points11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 49 caps, 7 tries, 35 points_10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 55 caps, 4 tries, 10 conversions, 40 penalties, 12 drop goals, 196 points9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 21 caps CAPTAIN _1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 49 caps2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 42 caps, 2 tries, 10 points3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) 34 caps, 2 tries, 10 points4 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 66 caps, 2 tries, 10 points5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps6 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 39 caps, 3 tries, 15 points8 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 22 caps, 2 tries, 10 points_Substitutes16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 32 caps17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps18 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 30 caps, 1 try, 5 points19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 3 caps20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 65 caps, 5 tries, 25 points21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap22 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps, 2 tries, 10 points_Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia RU)._ Assistant referees: Marius Jonker and Cobus Wessels (both South Africa)._ TMO: Tony Redmond (Ireland)._