FIVE CHANGES FOR THE 'A' TEAM
Posted: 09/Jun/08
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Scotland 'A' team head coach, Rob Moffat, has made five changes to the starting XV that defeated Canada (26-10) in their first game of the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup in North America on Saturday.

Anticipating a fast-paced game against the Argentina Pumas, which is also very physical up front, Moffat has called on the rugby sevens specialists in the squad to take the team forward. The new names in the side include new wingers Andrew Turnbull and Jim Thompson as well as scrum-half Greig Laidlaw - all of whom will make their debuts at A level.

Speaking from the team hotel in Kingston, Moffat said: "I was encouraged by the performance against Canada on Saturday, but there is still plenty room for improvement. I know the game took a lot out of the players and every member of the 22 made a significant contribution to the win.

An important aspect for me is the attitude and commitment of the players and how every member of the squad has worked hard and trained hard to give us the best possible chance to develop our attacking and defensive game."

In addition to Turnbull, Thompson and Laidlaw, Moffat has promoted stand-off David Blair to the starting XV with Scott Newlands getting the nod in the back-row.

Scotland A team to play Argentina Pumas in the Barclays Churchill Cup at Richardson Stadium, Kingston, kick-off 4:30pm

15 Steve Jones (Newcastle Falcons)

14 Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)
13 Rob Dewey (Ulster)
12 Calum MacRae (Edinburgh)
11 Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)

10 David Blair (Edinburgh)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh)

1 David Young (Leicester Tigers)
2 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN
3 Ed Kalman (Glasgow Warriors)
4 Fergus Pringle (Edinburgh)
5 Dan Turner (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Scott Newlands (Edinburgh)
7 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh)
8 Stevie Swindall (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes
16 Andrew Kelly (Edinburgh)
17 Stuart Corsar (Rotherham Titans)
18 Jon Dunbar (Leeds Carnegie)
19 James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors)
21 Gordon Ross (Saracens)
22 Matt Dey (Edinburgh)

All of the Scotland A teams games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports  see skysports.com for more information.

This article was posted on 9-Jun-2008, 22:43 by Hugh Barrow.