Richie Vernon is Scotland’s only change ahead of Samoa Test
Scotland coach Andy Robinson has made one change to the team that defeated South Africa 21-17 last weekend, ahead of the Scot’s final Test of the Autumn Internationals with Samoa at Murrayfield on Saturday 27 November.
Edinburgh lock Scott MacLeod will miss the Samoan Test after he picked up a rib injury in the win over the Springboks.
Richie Vernon comes into the team to replace MacLeod. Vernon’s inclusion means that Nathan Hines will move into the second row to partner lock Richie Gray, while Vernon will start in the back-row.
Scotland produced a fantastic display against the Springboks after being thrashed 49-3 by the All Blacks in their opening game of the Autumn Internationals.
However, Robinson was quick to put the result behind them and he was eager to focus on Scotland recording their second win of the series against Samoa. Speaking at a press conference, Robinson said, "Our supporters were understandably delighted by our win
against South Africa but that game is now history and we have to start afresh against quality international opposition in Samoa.”
Samoa have impressed on their tour so far and they have challenged England and Ireland already. Ireland struggled to beat the Samoan’s 20-10, while England only managed to record a 26-13 win over the Pacific Islander’s.
As a result, Robinson warned his players of the threat that Samoa has. "They will bring their own very physical, hard-running dimension to Saturday's game and we need to be absolutely focused on upping our performance this weekend," said the head coach.
Robinson was more than happy to include Vernon for the injured MacLeod, after the forward produced an outstanding display as a substitute. "I thought Richie Vernon showed his mettle as an international rugby player when he came on for Scott MacLeod last
Saturday and he has a chance to demonstrate those traits from the start on Saturday,” Robinson said.
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