Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has bought in Scotlands record points scorer Chris Paterson at 15 and he is one of six changes for their Six Nations opener against France on Sunday. Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison, Gloucester prop Alasdair Dickinson and Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay also come in.
Barclay replaces Alan MacDonald, who drops to the bench for the Murrayfield contest, as do Worcester centre Alex Grove and Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobson following the November defeat by Argentina.
Robinson said of his first Six Nations selection: (quote) There has been improved competition for places since the autumn Tests and selection has been based both on achievements within the autumn matches and on current form, France have a fantastic squad. The fact they defeated New Zealand in Dunedin last June illustrates that they can win and win well away from home. We are excited about the start of the Championship, but we know that we have not won our first game in the competition since 2006, so all our focus is on making a winning start against France on Sunday. (end quote)
Team
Paterson; S Lamont, M Evans, Morrison, T Evans; Godman, Cusiter (capt); Dickinson, Ford, Lowe, Kellock, Hines, K Brown, Beattie, Barclay.
Replacements: S Lawson, Jacobsen, Gray, MacDonald, R Lawson, Grove, Southwell.