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Scotland’s most-capped player, Chris Paterson, will make his first start of the 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship when he lines-up at full-back against Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Paterson will be winning his 94th cap and he is one of a minimum of two changes made to the team that won against Italy last month.
The other change sees Alasdair Dickinson introduced at loose-head instead of the injured Allan Jacobsen. Dickinson was on the opposite side of the scrum earlier in the championship when Scotland played in Paris. Scotland may make further changes. Four second-row forwards have been bracketed for the two lock starting positions.
Jason White (who played for his club on Sunday) and Alastair Kellock (who trained yesterday after the ankle injury he sustained against Italy) face a challenge from Jim Hamilton (restored to fitness after the shoulder problem he suffered against France last month) and Nathan Hines (also available for selection after extensive work with Scotland’s rehab physiotherapists to recover from a knee problem which has kept him sidelined since January).
Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: “It will be a close call in the second-row but clearly we’ll go with the players we believe give us the best chance of creating the sort of platform that we’ll need to win against a fine Irish team.
“I’ve been impressed with Chris Paterson’s attitude in this Championship. As ever, he’s been the model professional, getting on with his job and he deserves the opportunity to start on this occasion.
“Once we have finalised the lock selections we will complete our bench selection. Here, we are also monitoring the welcome return to fitness of Rory Lamont.”
Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 14 March (kick-off 5pm)
15 Chris Paterson (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 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
Locks (4/5) from: Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Perpignan), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) and Jason White (Sale Sharks)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors)
Substitutes
16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors)
18 TBC
19 Scott Gray (Northampton Saints)
20 Chris Cusiter (Perpignan)
21 TBC
22 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa). Touch-judges: Wayne Barnes (England) and Carlo Damasco (Italy). TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)
COME EARLY FOR IRELAND!
Scotland take on Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday (14 March, kick-off 5pm) in a sell-out RBS 6 Nations fixture. Due to the volume of support and traffic issues in central Edinburgh, all ticket holders are urged to make their way to the stadium in good time – by 4.30pm at the latest – in order to enjoy the pre-match build up and take advantage of the facilities on offer.
There will be plenty of food and drink outlets serving hot and cold beverages, licensed drinks and snacks; the newly extended Scottish Rugby shop will be selling a full range of goods; the stadium big screens will be showing new and vintage rugby action and interviews; and an ATM machine is on site.
Access to Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday is only from the North Stand, Roseburn Crescent, Roseburn Street and South Stand turnstiles. Please note that there is no pedestrian access via the West Stand turnstiles, because of the flood prevention and Edinburgh tram scheme development works affecting the back pitches.
Car parking is not available at the stadium, other than to Scottish Rugby disabled pass holders, on advance application. Please see the Matchday Information section here on the Scottish Rugby web site for alternative travel options, including special discount bus fares for match ticket holders, with CityLink coaches.
This article was posted on 10-Mar-2009, 12:45 by Hugh Barrow.
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