DOUBLE LION TAYLOR RETURNS TO FACE AULD ENEMY
Posted: 04/Mar/08
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Simon Taylor, the 28-year-old double British Lion, returns to the Scotland team having recovered from a hand injury for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with England at Murrayfield. Taylor is among two changes made by coach Frank Hadden from the starting team that lost to Ireland in Dublin ten days ago. Taylor, who will be winning his 59th cap, resumes in the back-row instead of Kelly Brown for the first time since the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.

Meanwhile in the backs Graeme Morrison will make his first start for Scotland since the record victory over Japan at Perth in 2004 as he is preferred to his Glasgow team-mate Andrew Henderson at inside centre.

Hadden said: "Simon Taylor has played well in the three games for his club since recovering from a hand injury and he is now ready to return to the national side. Graeme Morrison is being rewarded for his outstanding performances for the Scotland A team, away in Italy and then against Ireland A at Perth."

On the bench, Hadden has called up four players who were not on duty in Dublin - Jason White, who has recovered from the head knock that ruled him out of that contest, props Alasdair Dickinson and Craig Smith and scrum-half Rory Lawson.

Hadden explained: "The five/two split is a reflection of what we expect to be a huge battle up front this weekend. Alasdair Dickinson owes his call-up to his form for the A team and it's good to see Craig Smith back in full fitness."


Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 8 March, kick-off 3.15pm

15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)

14 Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks)
13 Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)

10 Chris Paterson (Gloucester)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
5 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)

Substitutes

16 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)
18 Craig Smith (Edinburgh)
19 Jason White (Sale Sharks)
20 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
21 Rory Lawson (Gloucester)
22 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa). Touch-judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa) and Carlo Damasco (Italy). TMO: Tim Hayes (Wales)

This article was posted on 4-Mar-2008, 11:44 by Hugh Barrow.