By Nicola Bamford Last updated: 25th November 2009
Cairns: Relishing reunion
Edinburgh star Ben Cairns is relishing the chance to team up once again with Alex Grove in the Scotland team.
Cairns partnered Grove on Scotland A's summer tour to Romania - however the duo will now line-up in the midfield for the full national side's final autumn international against Argentina.
Grove has made an immediate impact for Scotland since making his debut in November - going on to play a key role in the historic 9-8 win over Australia.
Cairns, though, was forced to miss the opening two autumn Tests because of injury.
However he will return on Saturday at Murrayfield having proved his fitness in the A team's clear-cut win over Tonga on Friday.
And the 24-year-old can't wait for his reunion with Grove.
Cairns said: "He's been really good; I played with him in the Nations Cup in the summer with Scotland A in Romania, and we formed quite a good partnership then.
"It would be good to see that again this weekend."
Cairns will replace Graeme Morrison against the Pumas, with Grove switching to inside centre.
"That's where he played alongside me in the Nations Cup so we've had that experience together and we formed a good combination," said Cairns.
"Hopefully, we can do that again."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| RBS Six Nations | |
| Saturday 13th February | |
| RBS Six Nations | |
| 14:00 | Wales vs Scotland |
| 16:30 | France vs Ireland |
| Sunday 14th February | |
| 14:30 | Italy vs England |
| Friday 26th February | |
| 20:00 | Wales vs France |
| Saturday 27th February | |
| 13:30 | Italy vs Scotland |
| 16:00 | England vs Ireland |
| Saturday 13th March | |
| 14:30 | Ireland vs Wales |
| 17:00 | Scotland vs England |
| Sunday 14th March | |
| 14:30 | France vs Italy |
| Saturday 20th March | |
| 14:30 | Wales vs Italy |
| 17:00 | Ireland vs Scotland |
| 19:45 | France vs England |
| Result |
|---|
| RBS Six Nations |
| Sunday 7th February |
| RBS Six Nations |
| Scotland 9 - 18 France |
| Saturday 6th February |
| England 30 - 17 Wales |
| Ireland 29 - 11 Italy |
Stuart Barnes says a change of outlook will help England, as will a change of personnel against Italy.
Skysports.com names its team of the weekend from the opening round of RBS Six Nations matches.
Ireland are in a position to make the rest of their RBS Six Nations rivals extremely jealous.
England manager Martin Johnson has named Riki Flutey and Dan Cole in his starting XV to tackle Italy in the RBS Six Nations on Sunday.
Italy have suffered a huge blow to their RBS Six Nations campaign after second-row Carlo Del Fava picked up a knee injury in training.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has recalled fly-half Dan Parks for the RBS Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.
Ronan O'Gara admits his demotion as Ireland's first choice fly-half last autumn forced him to address his loss in form.
France coach Marc Lievremont has made just two injury-enforced changes for Saturday's crunch RBS Six Nations clash with Ireland.
Post to your View!
Be the first to post a comment on this story