Six players who have played in Hawks colours are in the Scotland squad to face the All Blacks

Five Glasgow Warriors players have been selected by Scotland head coach Andy Robinson to face New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday in the first EMC Autumn Test (kick-off 5.15pm).

A sixth Warrior, uncapped stand-off Ruaridh Jackson, is named among the replacements.

Head coach Robinson has challenged his side to build on their four match unbeaten run and earn the respect of the world’s best side.

Robinson has made five changes from the Scotland team that started their last international – the historic 13-9 series-clinching success against Argentina in Mar del Plata in June.

Rory Lamont replaces the recently injured Simon Danielli on the wing, while the rejuvenated Mike Blair, Scotland’s most-capped scrum-half, will start instead of Rory Lawson and will captain his country for the 14th time.

In the pack Euan Murray is preferred to Moray Low at tight-head while the Glasgow pair, Richie Gray, 21, and Richie Vernon, 23, will both make their first starts for Scotland in place of their team-mates, Alastair Kellock and Johnnie Beattie both of whom are recovering from injuries.

Robinson said: “It is imperative that we front up from the first whistle against the All Blacks on Saturday and play the game at a tempo where we can unveil our skills and show our discipline, because the winning of this Test match is in our hands.

“We have shown our appetite to drive forward our game and our aim is to improve on our best performances last season, which we know inspired the country.

“As someone who loves his rugby it’s been a real thrill to watch many of New Zealand’s games this year and, for me, it’s important that this month the Scotland team earn the respect of the southern hemisphere by the qualities we bring to bear.”

More than 51,500 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s Test and Robinson is keen to see more surge through the Murrayfield turnstiles as tickets remain on sale until Friday night.

“The support we had during our Autumn Test against Australia last year was phenomenal – the crowd shared the players’ belief and conviction that day and roared us on and we have to do our bit to create that same fabulous atmosphere this weekend,” he said.

Tickets can be bought in three ways: via the Scottish Rugby website (www.scottishrugby.org); via the 24 hour phone line 0844 335 3933; or in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Gate A, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh. Please note there are no ticket sales on match day. Website and phone line sales close at 12 midnight on Friday, while the Ticket Centre is open for personal purchasers from 9am-8pm, Monday to Friday this week. Tickets are priced at £20, £25 and £45 for adults and £10, £12.50 and £22.50 for under-18s.

Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play New Zealand in the EMC Autumn Test on Saturday 13 November at Murrayfield (kick-off 5.15pm):

15 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), 54 caps, 8 tries, 40 points

14 Rory Lamont (Toulon) 23 caps, 6 tries, 30 points
13 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 47 caps, 7 tries, 35 points

10 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 53 caps, 4 tries, 10 conversions, 33 penalties, 11 drop-goals, 172 points
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN 64 caps, 5 tries, 25 points

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 47 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 40 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints) 32 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
5 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 29 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 37 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 20 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
8 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps

Substitutes

16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 22 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester) 18 caps
18 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 64 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh) 1 cap
20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 20 caps
21 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
22 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) 15 caps, 4 tries, 20 points

Referee: Dave Pearson (England). Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes and Robin Goodliffe (both England). TMO: Giulio de Santis (Italy).

This article was posted on 11-Nov-2010, 08:49 by Hugh Barrow.