Scotland changes: new-look backrow

RUGBY:ROSS RENNIE, the 25-year-old Edinburgh openside, will make his first Test start after winning six caps off the bench when Scotland face Ireland in the countries' opening World Cup warm-up match at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Andy Robinson makes five changes from the team that ended the Six Nations with a win over Italy.

Scrumhalf Rory Lawson will captain the side, with Alasdair Strokosch and Johnnie Beattie – given a chance to show his injured shoulder woes are finally behind him – making up an entirely new-look backrow. There is also a recast midfield partnership, where Joe Ansbro is paired with the recalled Graeme Morrison, who missed the Six Nations with a knee injury.

Sean Lamont reverts to the wing, to the exclusion of Ulster’s Simon Danielli.

In addition to Morrison and the three backrowers, Jim Hamilton will start at lock. The four forwards replace the departed ex-Leinster lock Nathan Hines, John Barclay, Kelly Brown and Alastair Kellock respectively.

“I am a firm believer that competition brings the best out in players,” said Robinson yesterday, “and I’ve said to the squad that it lies in their hands to make the case for their inclusion in the final 30 for New Zealand.”

On the bench, Robinson has named two more uncapped players, Edinburgh backrow David Denton (21), and Bath fullback Jack Cuthbert (32).

The game, which will be live on BBC 2, will be refereed by Wayne Barnes. Kick-off is at 2.15pm.

SCOTLAND(v Ireland): C Paterson (Edinburgh); N Walker (Ospreys), J Ansbro (London Irish), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), S Lamont (Scarlets); R Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), R Lawson (Gloucester); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), G Cross (Edinburgh), J Hamilton (Gloucester), R Gray (Glasgow Warriors), A Strokosch (Gloucester), J Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), R Rennie (Edinburgh). Replacements: D Hall (Glasgow Warriors), A Dickinson (Sale Sharks), A Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), D Denton (Edinburgh), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), N De Luca (Edinburgh), J Cuthbert (Bath).