SCOTLAND HAVE MADE two changes to their starting team to face Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday in the Six Nations.
Head coach Vern Cotter has brought dynamic Glasgow Warriors back row Adam Ashe into his side at blindside flanker in place of Rob Harley, adding another powerful ball-carrying threat to his XV.
The only other change sees Ryan Grant – a Lion in 2013 – selected at loosehead prop for his first start of the championship, Alasdair Dickinson dropping out to make way.
Elsewhere, Cotter has gone for continuity despite Scotland’s four losses in the championship so far, hoping that home advantage in Edinburgh can have an uplifting influence on his players.
Fullback Stuart Hogg will once again lead the attacking threat from deep, while Glasgow out-half Finn Russell attempts to direct play alongside captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.
Former Ireland U19 international Tommy Seymour is in the back three alongside Hogg and Dougie Fife, while Mark Bennett and Matt Scott form a centre partnership of ever-growing ability.
Johnny Gray and Jim Hamilton make up an imposing lock pairing, while Ross Ford and the experienced Euan Murray join Grant in the front row. The promising Ashe completes the back row along with Blair Cowan and Dave Denton.
“There is a strong culture in this group,” said Cotter after naming his team. “Players want to do well and set the standards high.
“We’ve played with a huge amount of spirit and courage, are putting teams under pressure and are scoring tries, which is encouraging, but we want to go one better this Saturday against Ireland, last year’s champions.”
“Both ourselves and Ireland are hugely motivated for this game.
“Make no mistake, they are coming to Edinburgh believing they can win the title, while we will be going out there desperate to throw everything at our last Championship match to win the game and repay the support of our fans.
“It’s time to put our bodies on the line and once again give everything, in this one, last, 80-minute push.”
Joe Schmidt is set to name his Ireland team at around 13.45 this afternoon.
Scotland (v Ireland)
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14. Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby)
13. Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors)
12. Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester) (captain)
1. Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
3. Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors)
4. Jim Hamilton (Saracens)
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors)
7. Blair Cowan (London Irish)
8. David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)
Replacements:
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
17. Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)
18. Geoff Cross (London Irish)
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)
20. Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors)
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby)
23. Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)
