MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 16:01:35| >> :600:210420:210420:

Scotland announce team to face England

Scotland announce team to face England
© PA Photos
Scotland announce their starting XV for their Six Nations opener with England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scotland have announced their starting XV for their Six Nations opener with England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Winger Lee Jones will win his first international cap, while Edinburgh teammate David Denton makes his first start in the loose forwards alongside Ross Rennie and Al Strokosch.

Max Evans takes the other wing and Rory Lamont will start at full-back.

Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen and Euan Murray make up the front row, backed by locks Jim Hamilton and Richie Gray.

Dan Parks has been named at fly-half and Chris Cusiter will take scrum-half duties.

Sean Lamont is at centre alongside Nick De Luca, who comes in for the injured Joe Ansbro.

"Edinburgh's qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and Glasgow's performances in the RaboDirect PRO12 mean that competition for places has intensified, particularly in the back-row," head coach Andy Robinson said.

"We have experienced players in our team and they must make that knowledge count by helping the team to a successful start.

"It is not by accident that these games are referred to as Test matches - because that is what they are, the ultimate in physical and mental challenge and that is certainly always on the menu when England are our opponents."

Scotland: Rory Lamont, Lee Jones, Nick De Luca, Sean Lamont, Max Evans, Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter; David Denton, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Jim Hamilton, Richie Gray, Euan Murray, Ross Ford (c), Allan Jacobsen

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross, Alastair Kellock, John Barclay, Mike Blair, Greig Laidlaw, Graeme Morrison

ID:15155: cacheID:15155:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2703:
Written by
Tom Williams
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ross Ford
Read Next:
Ross Ford named Scotland captain
>
Read more about Andy Robinson Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!