Robinson adds to squad

Scotland boss adds to squad ahead of Wales match

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Robinson adds to squad

Robinson: Has added to squad

We did show that we can create things and if we can finish off then we'll be dangerous.

Johnnie Beattie
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Scotland players will be sweating on their place in the side for the RBS Six Nations clash against Wales after Andy Robinson added 12 players to Sunday's 22-man squad.

Fit-again co-captain Mike Blair returns to the line-up alongside Euan Murray, Dan Parks, Ruaridh Jackson, Nick De Luca, Jim Hamilton, Dougie Hall, Simon Danielli and Rory Lamont, all of whom were already part of the Scotland camp.

Ben Cairns, Scott Gray and Nikki Walker have also been recalled after missing out on original selection.

Defeat

Scotland are monitoring bruising suffered by Johnnie Beattie, Graeme Morrison, Chris Paterson, Thom Evans and Nathan Hines during their opening 18-9 Six Nations defeat to France, while Kelly Brown is also being monitored after sustaining a shoulder strain.

Morrison will be looking over his shoulder after failing to contend against two-try monster France centre Mathieu Bastereaud, with Alex Groves a challenger for the number 12 jersey.

Phil Godman is in doubt to reprise his turn at fly-half after failing to produce under pressure against the French, while Paterson, Parks and Jackson are leading contenders for the role.

Glasgow number eight Beattie, who is one player assured a place for the trip to Wales on Saturday, believes Scotland did enough damage against France to mark themselves as serious contenders for the Millenium Stadium showdown.

France were dominant at Murrayfield and looked constantly on the edge of extending their lead, but Beattie insists their victory was achieved through seizing chances Scotland failed to take.

Dangerous

"We did show that we can create things and if we can finish off then we'll be dangerous," said Beattie.

"It's disappointing to get off to that start but you've just got to have a 'next game' mentality, look forward to the next challenge and get back on that horse quickly and look to reverse things.

"It's good that it's only six days away."

Wales also lost their opening match, falling 30-17 to England, but Beattie hailed the performance delivered by Warren Gatland's men.

"They really fought well when they went down (to 14 men) and they played really well," added Beattie.

"So if we can shackle these boys and get our attack operating the way it should then we can go down there and win.

"Both teams are going to look to rectify from this weekend, so it'll be massively tough. They're a talented bunch of players and very physical."