Pountney back in Scotland team

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has made just one change to the starting line-up that beat Italy in the last round of the Six Nations…

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has made just one change to the starting line-up that beat Italy in the last round of the Six Nations by recalling Budge Pountney for this Saturday's match against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

Former Scotland captain Pountney missed the 29-12 victory in Rome two weeks ago but has since recovered from the abdominal injury that led to Newcastle openside flanker Andrew Mower taking his place in the back-row.

Otherwise it's as you were for Scotland with Sale scrum-half Bryan Redpath continuing as captain following his successful Italian experience despite the return of Northampton forward Pountney.

"Budge fully understands and accepts the decision," said McGeechan. "What he says to the players before the game hasn't changed.

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"He has huge experience and has the respect of every other team in this competition.

"Obviously I am biased, but he is one of the great specialist number sevens and having that sort of talent is very important."

Scotland: Brendan Laney (Edinburgh); Glenn Metcalfe (Glasgow), James McLaren (Glasgow), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh); Gregor Townsend (Castres), Bryan Redpath (Sale, capt); Simon Taylor (Edinburgh), Budge Pountney (Northampton), Jason White (Glasgow); Stuart Grimes (Newcastle), Scott Murray (Saracens); Mattie Stewart (Northampton), Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow), Tom Smith (Northampton)

Replacements: George Graham (Newcastle), Robbie Russell (Saracens), Martin Leslie (Edinburgh), Jon Petrie (Glasgow), Graeme Beveridge (Glasgow), Duncan Hodge (Edinburgh), Kenny Logan (Wasps)