Scotland team to face Ireland

March 07, 2007

Scotland team to face Ireland

Posted by Editor on March 7, 2007 01:26 PM | 21 comments | Print | E-mail author

Dan Parks returns for Scotland

Glasgow's Dan Parks is restored to stand off as the only change in the Scotland starting XV for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Ireland at Murrayfield.

Dan will be winning his 29th cap and replaces Phil Godman. On the bench Glasgow's Rory Lamont returns instead of Nikki Walker.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden said: "We’ve chosen Dan at stand-off as we feel he has the right qualities for this game. Rory Lamont has been preferred on the bench as he provides greater cover."

He went on: "We firmly believe we are capable of upsetting the form book and beating a very good Irish side. Nobody would enjoy that scenario more than Scott Murray who will set a new Scottish cap record on Saturday."

Scotland team (sponsor The Famous Grouse) to play Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 10 March, kick-off 1.30pm.

15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby)

14 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints)
13 Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Rugby)
12 Rob Dewey (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN

10 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Chris Cusiter (Border Reivers)*

1 Gavin Kerr (Border Reivers)
2 Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Rugby)
3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors)*
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
5 Scott Murray (Edinburgh Rugby)
6 Simon Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby)*
8 David Callam (Edinburgh Rugby)*
7 Kelly Brown (Border Reivers)*

Substitutes

16 Ross Ford (Border Reivers)*
17 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers)
19 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby)*
20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester)
21 Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors)
22 Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors)

* = Member of Scottish Institute of Sport

Referee: Dave Pearson (England).
Touch judges: Nigel Owens and Tim Hayes (both Wales).
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)

Posted by garyipa on March 7, 2007 01:41 PM | Reply to this comment

groan

Posted by Big Blue on March 7, 2007 01:51 PM | Reply to this comment

It's not that bad Gary. At least Dan is back.

Posted by vicki on March 7, 2007 01:53 PM | Reply to this comment

Hope they make amends for the performance against Italy - good luck to the squad!

Posted by garyipa on March 7, 2007 03:09 PM | Reply to this comment

king great ;-)

Posted by gbmcgn on March 7, 2007 01:50 PM | Reply to this comment

How depressingly predictable.

Posted by Anthony on March 7, 2007 02:13 PM | Reply to this comment

Glad to hear Dan is back! Hope he gets the chance to have a good game!

Posted by Hannah on March 7, 2007 03:53 PM | Reply to this comment

Dan and Rory- things are getting better!!! But did Hadden just make the changes because he had to?

Posted by jamiefeg on March 7, 2007 04:37 PM | Reply to this comment

I think the team doesnt look to bad!!id prefer ally hogg at 7 than kell brown and tobe honest I think di Rollo is the best we have!!I dont rate graeme morrison particularly. He is great for Glasgow!!But he isnt international class as well as Di Rollo. Scotland need a brilliant outside centre. Also, fly half. I expect Scotland to, maybe not win, but put in a really promising performance.(easier said than done)

Posted by Hugues on March 7, 2007 05:01 PM | Reply to this comment

Di Rollo?
Why not try 12.Henderson 13.Dewey?

Posted by Hugues on March 7, 2007 05:02 PM | Reply to this comment

Di Rollo?
Why not try 12.Henderson 13.Dewey?

Posted by jenni b on March 7, 2007 05:08 PM | Reply to this comment

Probably because it would require the application of common sense...

Posted by Hugues on March 7, 2007 06:29 PM | Reply to this comment

You do not think Dewey could be an outside centre?!

Posted by Hugues on March 7, 2007 06:46 PM | Reply to this comment

Sorry about my question i think i misunderstood your comment above.

Posted by jenni b on March 7, 2007 06:59 PM | Reply to this comment

Don't worry, my fault - my original comment and the one below were supposed to demonstrate my support for your suggestion that Dewey should play outside centre, but after a long day at work I should really have stuck to saying something simple and uncomplicated! With that, I will say it's good to see Dan and Rory back, and good luck to the guys for Sat!!

Posted by jenni b on March 7, 2007 06:49 PM | Reply to this comment

Only if you were hugely brave and dared to contradict the FH philosophy on centres:
'when in doubt, di rollo'

Posted by goose on March 7, 2007 07:49 PM | Reply to this comment

DiRollo is the only 13 that has been allowed a fair crack at the outside center position. Therefore, realistically, how can anyone argue that other combinations will be weaker. The other combinations havn't been tried, and if they have, havn't been given a fair run to grow accustomed to the international level.
It is a huge jump from pro-club to internatioal, not only in terms of intensity and pressure, but also playing on an unfamiliar stage with unfamiliar players around you (in comparison to club, where you play week-in week-out with the same players).
DiRollo has been the weakness in the midfield of late, and unless FH allows the the likes of Morrison and other combinations to have a fair run where they're due, Scotland will continue to struggle. Especially in World Cup year, where depth in all positions is crucial.

Posted by alan on March 7, 2007 08:43 PM | Reply to this comment

I think Hugues has a good point. FH is missing out on the services of Henderson (whom I rate above Dewey for overall performance, by the way) because he sees them in the same position. We need them both on the field for Scotland.

Posted by Hugues on March 7, 2007 09:01 PM | Reply to this comment

Scotland needs them boss on the field, absolutely.
Henderson is the best defence.
I think everybody knows the power of Dewey and the defence will be strong on him as the inside centre.
I think Dewey could surprise defences as outside centre, with deep and good angle of runs.
I'm a chatter, not a real Rugby connoisseur.

Posted by Garyipa on March 7, 2007 10:32 PM | Reply to this comment

It will be intersting to see where Ulster play him

Posted by The Briar on March 8, 2007 06:28 AM | Reply to this comment

Good to see parksy back at 10. Lets upset those irish and win the game. Good Luck Boys.

Posted by The Briar on March 8, 2007 06:29 AM | Reply to this comment

Good to see parksy back at 10. Lets upset those irish and win the game. Good Luck Boys.