Scotland recall Paterson

SCOTLAND V FRANCECHRIS PATERSON will play his 99th match for Scotland on Sunday after being recalled to the side for their Six Nations opener against France at Murrayfield. Scotland's most capped player is one of six changes to the starting line-up that played Argentina in November.

Glasgow centre pairing Max Evans and Graeme Morrison, Gloucester prop Alasdair Dickinson and Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay are also in Andy Robinsons side.

Uncapped Glasgow lock Richie Gray is on the bench. “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,” Robinson said. Of the players left out, Rory Lamont and Alasdair Strokosch were injured while Alex Grove, Allan Jacobsen and Alan MacDonald remain in the squad.

SCOTLAND(v France): C Paterson (Edinburgh); T Evans (Glasgow), M Evans (Glasgow), G Morrison (Glasgow), S Lamont (Scarlets); P Godman (Edinburgh), C Cusiter (Glasgow, capt); 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).