Can he kick it?: Scotland's record point scorer Chris Paterson will earn his 99th cap against France.
Scotland have made six changes to their team for the opening Six Nations match with France on Sunday. Chris Paterson, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Alasdair Dickinson, Kelly Brown and John Barclay have all been recalled to the starting 15, as Andy Robinson’s team look to win their first opening match since 2006.
Rory Lamont and Alasdair Strokosch have been omitted through injury, while Alex Grove, Allan Jacobson and Alan MacDonald remain in the squad. Only Ben Cairns misses out on a place.
12 of the starting team are home based with either Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors and Paterson, who has scored 741 points at international level, will win his 99th cap at full back.
France are looking to claim back the championship after a two year spell which has seen Wales and Ireland emerge victorious with a Grand Slam and come into the tournament in good form, having won two of their three Autumn internationals.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is happy with his squad going into the game at Murrayfield but is wary of the threat opponents France pose, as the home side chase their first win against Les Bleus since two tries from Sean Lamont gave them a 20-16 win in the season opener back in February 2006.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “There has been improved competition for places since the Autumn Tests and selection has been based both on achievements within the autumn matches and on current form.
“France have a fantastic squad. The fact they defeated New Zealand in Dunedin last June illustrates that they can win and win well away from home.
“We are excited about the start of the championship but we know that we have not won our first game in the competition since 2006, so all our focus is on making a winning start against France on Sunday.”
Scotland team for RBS 6 Nations match against France at Murrayfield on Sunday, February 7:
C Paterson (Edinburgh); T Evans (Glasgow), M Evans (Glasgow), G Morrison (Glasgow), S Lamont (Scarlets); P Godman (Edinburgh), C Cusiter (Glasgow); A Dickinson (Gloucester), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow), N Hines (Leinster), A Kellock (Glasgow), K Brown (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow).
Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Gray (Glasgow), A MacDonald (Edinburgh), R Lawson (Gloucester), A Grove (Worcester), H Southwell (Stade Francais).
