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 attending.
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 www.scottishrugby.org 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 Championship on Saturday 12 February at Murrayfield, kick-off 5pm
15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 58 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 19 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 3 caps
12 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 20 caps
11 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 16 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 57 caps, 4 tries, 13 conversions, 42 penalties, 13 drop-goals, 211 points
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 51 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 44 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 36 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 28 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 68 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
8 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 41 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 24 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
Substitutes
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 23 caps, 2 tries 10 points
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps
18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps
19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 5 caps
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 67 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 penalty, 1 conversion 5 points
22 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 51 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France) and Simon McDowell (Ireland). TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
ENDS