Thom Evans and Ben Cairns have been drafted into the Scotland squad as coach Andy Robinson aims to inject more attacking thrust for the match against Argentina on Saturday. Scotland had been focused on their heroic rearguard action during their bruising but brilliant 9-8 win over Australia, but Robinson now says it’s time to take the match to the “wounded” Argentineans.
Evans comes in for Simon Danielli on the wing while Cairns will take over duties at outside centre, with Alex Grove moving inside at the expense of Graeme Morrison. Grove, who is quickly making a name for himself at international level, was one of the only attacking threats the Scots could boast during Saturday’s torrid defensive display.
In the pack Robinson has opted for new cap Alan McDonald ahead of John Barclay, who will wonder what he did wrong on the flank against the Aussies.
But the coach insists the switch is a merited one. He said “Alan MacDonald has been playing well for Scotland A. His continuity skills are very good and he deserves this chance.”
Robinson continued: “We do have competition for places and last weekend was about two international victories at Murrayfield against Australia and at Netherdale against Tonga. Australia was a very physical international and that is now history.
“This selection is about the management of our squad and giving players that performed in the A team an opportunity to deliver a win for Scotland.”
Scotland team: 15 Rory Lamont (Toulon), 14 Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), 12 Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), 11 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), 10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh), 9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), 4 Nathan Hines (Leinster), 5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), 8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), 7 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh)
Substitutes: 16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), 17 Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), 18 Jason White (Clermont Auvergne), 19 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), 20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester), 21 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)
Video courtesy of Scottish Rugby.
