Scotland call on Edinburgh flyer
Edinburgh wing Lee Jones is set to make his Scotland debut against England at Murrayfield on Saturday after being named in the team for the Six Nations opener.
Scotland coach Andy Robinson made eight changes to the starting line-up that was beaten in the side’s last international appearance, a 16-12 World Cup pool defeat by England in Auckland in October.
Fullback Rory Lamont, centre Nick de Luca, flyhalf Dan Parks, scrumhalf Chris Cusiter, No.8 David Denton, flanker Ross Rennie and lock Jim Hamilton join Jones in the starting XV selected by Robinson, a former England player and coach.
Hooker Ross Ford captains the side with World Cup skipper Alastair Kellock replaced in the second row by Hamilton, who will partner Richie Gray.
Jones and Denton are the only two members of the run-on side that were not in Scotland’s squad in New Zealand, where the defeat by England ended the Scots’ record of always qualifying for the knock-out stages of the World Cup.
This team was bound to have a changed look following the international retirement of Scotland’s record cap holder and points scorer Chris Paterson, while injuries to Joe Ansbro and Ruaridh Jackson have also forced Robinson’s hand in the backs.
But the Scotland boss insisted the 21-year-old Jones deserved his first cap.
He said: “I’ve been pleased with the consistency Lee Jones has shown and he fully deserves to win his first cap.
“Form has played a part in selection. Edinburgh’s qualification for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals and Glasgow’s performances in the Pro12 mean that competition for places has intensified, particularly in the back row,” former flank Robinson added.
“But, as ever, we select to win an international rugby match.
“It is not by accident that these games are referred to as Test matches – because that is what they are, the ultimate in physical and mental challenge and that is certainly always on the menu when England are our opponents.
“We have experienced players in our team and they must make that knowledge count by helping the team to a successful start on Saturday,” he said.
Scotland haven’t won their opening match in the Six Nations since 2006 but England haven’t beaten their oldest rivals in Edinburgh for eight years and the defending Six Nations champions, have lost two and drawn one of their last three visits to Murrayfield.
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick de Luca, 12 Sean Lamont, 11 Max Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 David Denton, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford (captain), 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 John Barclay, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Graeme Morrison.
Date: Saturday, February 4
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17.00 (GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Tony Redmond (Ireland)
