Promoted: Duncan Weir
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Scotland have made one alteration to their starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales as Duncan Weir replaces Ruaridh Jackson at 10.
Weir, whose three previous caps have been won from the bench, replaces his club-mate Jackson in the pivotal position and was delighted to start.
"It's a moment I'll cherish and hopefully I can do the coaches justice for giving me the start," he told www.scottishrugby.org.
"The other change to the initial line-up from the team that defeated Ireland last month sees the 2009 British and Irish Lion, Euan Murray, return to the tighthead berth with Geoff Cross moving to the bench."
Ryan Wilson, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors number eight who has led his club on three occasions this season and who was captain and man of the match in Scotland A's victory over England Saxons last month, is introduced to a matchday 23 for the first time.
Wilson is named instead of David Denton who sustained a knee injury when playing for Edinburgh Rugby against Scarlets in the RaboDirect PRO12 at the weekend.
"Selection is tough just now but that's a good thing as we increase competition for places," said Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson.
"Duncan did well when he came on against Ireland and he got some decent game time for Glasgow at the weekend. He's a talent with a really good work ethic and a thirst to improve, which I like a lot.
"Ruaridh remains a key part of our squad but he knows with Tom Heathcote proving a match-winner for Bath and kicking goals from here, there and everywhere, that he needs to up his game too.
"Geoff (Cross) was a standout against Ireland and it's up to Euan, who fronted up big time against Italy, to raise the bar again.
"Wales will be going for their fifth successive away victory in the championship and that would be a record for them but our focus is on ensuring we win the contact zone, continue to improve and make it three wins on the bounce."
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Robert Harley, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Moray Low, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
Date: Saturday, March 9
Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Comments
porridge_time says...
Scotland did not mess up the breakdown against Ireland. Ireland spent the first 50 minutes sealing the ball off which made it impossible for Scotland to contest.
Joubert will allow a contest for the ball on the floor which is good for both sides who will want quick ball.
Posted 07:47 06th March 2013
kinkster says...
good to see weir finally get a start. cross should have ben retained as had a great game against ireland and murray should be made to force his way back in. against italy we were decent, against ireland we were lucky, i think this game will give us a better indication of where scotland is at.
Posted 21:44 05th March 2013
Michtymauler says...
Potentially an exciting match there.. Scotland need possession! When they did onthe few occasions, the ball was kicked away whether a box kick or just a punt upfield. I'm not a fan of either and the welsh backs will be lethal on the counter attack. Hopefully the Scots forwards can get some ball back and the backs should just run with it. Totally deserved for Weir. He's a little guy but has been instrumental for Glasgow and his line kicking is a better standard than Jackson. He also actually got the back line moving forward when he came on last time. With regrade to Murray, he always just walks back in after he's had his Sunday rest. I think on this occasion the coaches are really depending on his scrummaging. You know what the Welsh forwards are like if they start losing the scrum..
Posted 18:31 05th March 2013
carpelone says...
Joubert will not allow Scotland to mess up the breakdown as they did with Italy and Ireland.
I will support Scotland, but I would be surprised if they will stun Wales. Wales will get quick balls and keep Scotland on the backfoot.
But you never know. Come on Scotland.
Posted 17:04 05th March 2013
craigster99 says...
Agree with Weir getting a start best 10 in Scotland, disagree with Murray walking back into the team, Cross should start and Murray should be on the bench.
Would like to see Alex Dunbar on the bench to come on for Lamont if needed.
Ryan Wilson worthy of a start.
Posted 16:07 05th March 2013
melkdave says...
Nice to see consistency from Scotland,,they should be fairly confident .But defenitly need to keep the ball more,and go through the phases.So they can release their own back 3 which lok pretty potent.1st up tackling also has to be spot on ,Wales wont waste the chances Ireland had Going to be close and hard fought,and Halfpennys kicking form from range may be the differance in the end.So disapline is paramount,espicaly anywhere in their own half.
Posted 14:13 05th March 2013
Frooschman says...
Wales will not be as profligate as Ireland. As such, Scotland will need to play significantly better. Much as I will be supporting the Scots to embarrass Wales I just can't quite see it.
Posted 13:21 05th March 2013
atg77 says...
Should improve our territory stats, but still the wrong call at outside centre... Dunbar or even Bennett should be starting there. I only hope Scotland can work out a way to get the ball to the back three...
Posted 13:05 05th March 2013
hingwy says...
The news all Scottish rugby fans were hoping against hope to hear today!
Posted 13:00 05th March 2013
scot_rsa says...
Bang on. Absolutely bang on. Weir more than deserves his chance and this sends the right messages. Good luck to him, he may provide the spark we'll need against Wales and he'll take kicking duties from Laidlaw. I'm not going along with this new found optimism just yet, Wales have quality and are back in the winning groove too. Should be a real test.
Posted 12:56 05th March 2013