Two changes to the Scottish forwards for visit of Ireland

While Joe Schmidt's backline has received some criticism for lacking pizzazz, Scotland have looked pretty confident in that area and for Ireland's visit to Edinburgh Scotland coach Vern Cotter has stuck with the same backs and made just two changes to his pack.

Glasgow, the team in form this season in the Pro12, again provides Mark Bennett, Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour for the backline, Hogg one of the standout footballers in the championship.

Captain Greig Laidlaw again partners Scotland's young outhalf Finn Russell with Edinburgh centre Matt Scott and winger Dougie Fife also starting.

In the forwards flanker Adam Ashe comes into the team on the blindside in place of Robert Harley and loosehead prop Ryan Grant edges out Alasdair Dickinson for his first start of the championship.

Scotland have also changed their composition of backs and forwards on the bench with Dutch born winger Tim Visser replacing backrow Johnnie Beattie, reverting to a five-three split.

It’s a settled pick from the new Kiwi coach and much of it based on Scotland’s better first half performance against England in Twickenham, where they led going into the break.

Blair Cowan in the back-row is one of six Scotland players to hold a starting place in every match of the Championship, as well as Mark Bennett, Ross Ford, Jonny Gray, Hogg and Laidlaw.

In the pack, tight-head Euan Murray also makes history, overtaking Allan Jacobsen’s record as the most capped Scotland prop with a 66th appearance.

“There is a strong culture in this group. Players want to do well and set the standards high,” said Cotter.

“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.”

Cotter is also aware that Ireland wants to quickly erase the mistakes of last week against Wales and regain their winning footing going in to the summer international warm up series of games.

“Make no mistake they are coming to Edinburgh believing they can win the title,” added Cotter. “Both ourselves and Ireland are hugely motivated for this game. 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.”

Scotland: S Hogg; D Fife, M Bennett, M Scott, T Seymour; F Russell, G Laidlaw; R Grand, R Ford, E Murray, J Hamilton, J Gray, A Ashe, B Cowan, D Denton.

Replacements: F Brown, A Dickinson, G Cross, T Swinson, R Harley, S Hidalgo, G Tonks, T Visser.