Parks one of four out for Scots

Hadden has made several changes as he seeks a vital victory
Stand-off Dan Parks has been dropped for Scotland's second Test in Buenos Aires against the Pumas on Saturday.

Phil Godman replaces Parks, and is one of four personnel, and six positional changes to Frank Hadden's side after defeat in Rosario.

Thom Evans, Simon Danielli and Johnny Beattie are others who miss out.

Simon Webster, John Barclay and Hugo Southwell all start, while Chris Paterson will earn his record 88th cap on the wing.

Scotland coach Hadden had decided against calling up players from the A squad, who are in North America for the Churchill Cup.

But he has chosen to shuffle his pack significantly for the final match of the season, after the 21-15 reverse last Saturday.

Webster replaces Evans on the wing, with Paterson moving to the other wing position vacated by Danielli, and Southwell filling in at full back.

Meanwhile, Barclay has been brought in after Beattie's omission from the pack, as Hogg moves to the number eight role.

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Scotland captain Mike Blair says the squad have been working hard in training since losing in Rosario, adding he is confident of victory on Saturday.

"We've been able to work on some of the structures that didn't quite work last week," he told BBC Sport.

"We've been looking at the breakdown as a whole and how we can generate quicker ball. Hopefully, that will bear fruit on Saturday."

Blair was of the opinion that Scotland were not helped by the size of the pitch in last week's defeat in Rosario.

However, looking ahead to the clash at Jose Amalfitani stadium, the Edinburgh scrum-half said: "The pitch still isn't going to be full-size, but it's not going to be too far off.

"There should be a little bit more room for us to use our exciting backs."

Argentina are ranked third in the world - seven places above Scotland, and Blair said his team-mates could expect another tough match.

"Last week's game was evenly contested and it will take a massive effort for us to win on Saturday, but we think it's something we're capable of achieving.

"I think it's going to be another cracking game to watch and let's hope the result will be reversed this week.

"We are using these games not only to develop players, but also to improve our position for the ranking thinking in 2011 World Cup seedings."



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Scotland team to face Argentina in Buenos Aires:

Southwell, Paterson, Cairns, Morrison, Webster, Godman, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Mustchin, MacLeod, Strokosch, Barclay, Hogg.
Replacements: Hall, Dickinson, Kellock, Brown, Lawson, Parks, De Luca.

This article was posted on 12-Jun-2008, 14:47 by Hugh Barrow.