Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Scotland have made two changes in their team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Italy at Murrayfield. Euan Murray has recovered from a rib injury and returns at tight-head prop to win his 26th cap, and in the second-row, Alastair Kellock, the 27-year-old Glasgow Warriors captain, replaces Jim Hamilton who suffered shoulder damage against France. Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: “We took a bold approach to selection last week and performed bravely in Paris. The approach to this game remains the same. We are delighted to recall Euan Murray and bring someone as experienced as Al Kellock in to replace Jim Hamilton.”



Warriors captain Alastair Kellock said: "Every opportunity you are given to play for your country is massive, even if you're on the bench as I was on the tour of Argentina last summer when I made my comeback after my knee injury.
"I always strive to perform to the best of my abiity regardless of who I play for. With Glasgow, as well as Scotland, we are making grat steps towards building consistency but it's one of the most difficult aspects to get right. If you can reach a high level of consistency you inevitably become one of the best sides in the world."

Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 28 February (kick-off 3pm)

15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)

14 Simon Danielli (Ulster)
13 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors)

10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
4 Jason White (Sale Sharks)
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)
18 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
19 Scott Gray (Northampton Saints)
20 Chris Cusiter (Perpignan)
21 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)
22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales).
Touch-judges: George Clancy (Ireland) and Romain Poite (France).
Television Match Official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)

This article was posted on 24-Feb-2009, 20:21 by Hugh Barrow.