Six Nations: Scotland make two changes to staring XV against Wales
Friday 13 February 2015 17:52, UK
Vern Cotter has made two enforced changes to his Scotland starting side to face Wales at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Glasgow wing Sean Lamont will make his 92nd Scotland appearance after shaking off a calf injury and he replaces club team-mate Tommy Seymour, who suffered a hip problem in the opening Six Nations Championship 15-8 defeat by France.
London Irish tight-head prop Geoff Cross is promoted from the bench in place of Euan Murray, who is unavailable to play on Sundays due to his religious beliefs, with Jon Welsh taking the substitute spot vacated by Cross.
Lamont's inclusion brings a further two changes to the bench, with Edinburgh duo Greig Tonks winning his first call-up since his solitary outing at full-back in 2013 and 21-times capped centre Matt Scott who has not featured for his country since the corresponding fixture last year due to injury.
There is no place in the 23 for Dougie Fife, who came off the bench to score Scotland's only try in Paris, or Peter Horne.
The boys love playing at home. The fans were outstanding throughout the autumn and we're looking forward to getting back out there
Cotter said: "Last weekend's performance, in terms of line-breaks and heart, was encouraging. We defended well and our lineout, scrum and defence stood up to a very stern French assessment.
"I'm pleased we were in a situation to contest the match throughout, but we left the paddock very frustrated and disappointed that we didn't get more from the game – and I think that's a good measure of this squad.
"There's a huge amount of determination in this group to improve, with the challenge now to go one step further and deliver a winning performance for our home fans at a full BT Murrayfield.
"The boys love playing at home. The fans were outstanding throughout the autumn and we're looking forward to getting back out there, pulling on the jersey, rolling up our sleeves and having a good crack at a powerful Welsh side.”
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell. 9 Greig Laidlaw capt, 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Geoff Cross, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Matt Scott.
