Scotland Determined To Put Matters Right
Head coach Andy Robinson has this afternoon named an unchanged starting XV for Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Wales at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 5pm).The only change to the squad sees Scott Lawson, the Gloucester hooker, enlisted to the bench instead of Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) who has a shoulder problem. Robinson praised elements of Scotland’s opening match in the championship – the 21-34 loss to France in Paris last weekend – but has reiterated that the team are judged on results. “We were disappointed as players and management that we did not start the championship with a win against France. We are determined to put that right with an improved performance against Wales,” he said. “Wales showed again last weekend that they are combative and skilful and play for the full 80 minutes and we know we have to be more accurate and ruthless this weekend.”Captain Alastair Kellock will lead out Scotland at a Murrayfield international for the first time. It will be a royal occasion, too, as Scottish Rugby’s patron, HRH the Princess Royal, is our welcome guest.Robinson added: “We know from the tremendous support we received during the autumn that the crowd have a part to play on days that the whole nation can reflect on with pride.”More than 60,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s game. Tickets are still available and can be bought via this website or via the 24 hour hotline 0844 335 3933. There are no ticket sales on match day. Turnstiles open at 2.30pm and there will be action from the England v Italy RBS 6 Nations Championship match shown on big screens behind the East Stand. The Scotland team are due to arrive at the stadium at approximately 3.30pm. Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations ChampionshipSaturday 12 February at Murrayfield, kick-off 5pm 15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 58 caps, 8 tries, 40 points14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 19 caps, 5 tries, 25 points13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 3 caps12 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 20 caps11 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps, 2 tries, 10 points10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 57 caps, 4 tries, 13 conversions, 42 penalties, 13 drop-goals, 211 points9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 51 caps2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points3 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 36 caps, 2 tries, 10 points4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 28 caps, 1 try, 5 points6 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 68 caps, 2 tries, 10 points8 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 41 caps, 4 tries, 20 points7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps, 2 tries, 10 pointsSubstitutes16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps, 2 tries 10 points17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 5 caps20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 67 caps, 5 tries, 25 points21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 penalty, 1 conversion 5 points22 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 51 caps, 8 tries, 40 pointsOfficials Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France) and Simon McDowell (Ireland). TMO: Graham Hughes (England)