Andy Robinson announces match-day 22 for Scotland’s pre-World Cup game against Ireland
Scotland Rugby Union team’s head coach, Andy Robinson, has announced his match 22 for their upcoming pre-World Cup warm up game against Ireland. Both Ireland and Scotland will lock horns at Murrayfield on Saturday, August 6.
Speaking on the occasion, Robinson said, “In any international match there is always a huge amount at stake, but the Tests take on extra significance this year as we hone our preparations for the start of the world's third biggest sporting event.”
Robinson has made five changes to the side, which played for Scotland in the last match of the 2011 RBS Six Nations tournament earlier this year. The players named in the squad include Graeme Morrison, Ross Rennie, Johnnie Beattie, Alasdair Strokosch, and
Jim Hamilton. Meanwhile Kelly Brown, Nathan Hines, John Barclay, Simon Danielli and Alastair Kellock have been dropped from the squad.
Graeme Morrison has recovered from his knee injury, which has kept him out of the 2011 Six Nations tournament. He will start the match as inside centre, forcing a move from Sean Lamont to the left wing position.
Robinson has also given flanker Ross Rennies his first start of the national side. Earlier Rennie has made six appearances for Scotland, all as substitutes. Glasgow Warriors' Johnnie Beattie has recovered from his shoulder injury, and will start the game
in the back row as number eight.
Additionally, Robinson has named two debutant, who will start the match from the bench. This includes David Denton from Edinburgh Rugby, and Jack Cuthbert from Bath Rugby.
Gloucester Rugby’s scrumhalf, Rory Lawson, will captain the side and Edinburgh Rugby’s hooker Ross Ford is appointed as his deputy for the weekend encounter. Robinson has expressed his confidence that the players will make the most of the opportunity provided
to win a spot in Scotland’s final 30-man squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The complete Scotland squad announced for their weekend encounter against the Ireland includes,
Starting XV: 15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys) , 13 Joe Ansbro (London Irish), 12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), 11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) C,
8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), 7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), 6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), 5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), 4 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), 3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh).
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), 17 Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), 18 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), 19 David Denton (Edinburgh), 20 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), 21 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), 22 Jack Cuthbert (Bath).
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