Six Nations:Scotland have made seven changes in personnel and a further positional switch for Sunday's Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland at Murrayfield. Head coach Andy Robinson has urged his team to "restore the pride in all Scotland supporters" after the disappointing 6-24 defeat to Wales.
He declared: “We have made changes with a view to securing our first win of the competition and giving our supporters the lift that they deserve. We know that Ireland will bring their own distinct physicality and guile to Murrayfield on Sunday and it is up to our squad to front up to that challenge.
“We must play with belief and eliminate the mistakes which have bedevilled us in our opening two games and we must produce a performance that restores the pride in all Scotland supporters.”
From the team that lost to Wales at Murrayfield earlier this month, Hugo Southwell and Joe Ansbro had already been ruled out through injury.
Also omitted are halfbacks Dan Parks and Rory Lawson, tighthead prop Euan Murray, lock Nathan Hines and number eight Richie Vernon.
In comes Chris Paterson, Scotland’s most capped player Chris Paterson, alongside Sean Lamont and Ruaridh Jackson, who will be making his first start for Scotland this campaign to win his fourth cap.
Mike Blair, Moray Low and the rejuvenated Richie Gray, who missed the Welsh game through illness, also feature. Gray’s Glasgow team-mate Johnnie Beattie, who has recovered from shoulder surgery and whose try was a feature of Scotland’s victory over Ireland at Croke Park last year, also feature in the newlook side.
The positional switch sees Nick De Luca move from inside centre to wear the number 13 shirt. On the bench Geoff Cross and Simon Danielli are involved in a Scotland matchday 22 for the first time this year.
Kick-off at Murrayfield on Sunday is 3pm.
Scotland team (v Ireland):Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) (C), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements:Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Simon Danielli (Ulster).
