Rugby - Six Nations:Andy Robinson has made six changes to his Scotland team for Sunday's Six Nations opener against France and among them is record cap holder and points-scorer Chris Paterson at fullback for his 99th appearance.
Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison, Gloucester prop Alasdair Dickinson and Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay are also included.
Two of the changes were injury-enforced, with fullback Rory Lamont and flanker Alasdair Strokosch both ruled out yesterday due to ankle problems.
Despite impressing during the autumn internationals, Worcester centre Alex Grove was relegated to the bench, with the fit-again Max Evans preferred.
It was a similar story with Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen, who lost out to Dickinson.
Barclay reclaimed the number seven jersey from Alan MacDonald, who made his debut in the defeat to Argentina last time out and is among the substituted.
Phil Godman retained the fly-half jersey, with Robinson surprisingly electing not to include either Dan Parks or Ruaridh Jackson on the bench.
Uncapped 20-year-old Glasgow lock Richie Gray is among the replacements, however.
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 (v France):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).