Auld Enemy: Robinson gunning for victory Pic: ©STV
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is urging his team to follow through with their hard work to overcome England in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield (kick-off 5pm).
Robinson has made one change and one positional switch from the team that lost to Italy last month as they prepare for their fourth match in this season's RBS Six Nations.
Edinburgh's Nick De Luca will start at outside centre in what will be his 16th cap. The 26-year-old will be making his first start for the national team since the victory over Canada at Pittodrie in 2008.
Max Evans moves to the left wing with Simon Danielli switching to the bench while scrum-half Mike Blair and prop Alasdair Dickinson have been ruled out through concussion sustained in their weekend club matches. Dickinson's Gloucester team-mate, Alasdair Strokosch, has also been sidelined with a recurrence of an ankle injury.
Rory Lawson, who played a major part in Scotland's win against Australia last autumn, Geoff Cross and Alan MacDonald are listed on the bench.
Andy Robinson is eager for his side to secure victory in the game after a series of loses despite controlling parts of the match.
“The team has played some good rugby and we have been creating chances. We just need to take that next step and finish off a game,” said Robinson.
"Max has been our most potent attacker and we also want to see Nick and the qualities that he can bring to this game."
Scotland team to face England: Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors).
Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors).
Substitutes: Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Simon Danielli (Ulster).
