The Ayr forward has returned to his Australian home after a family bereavement.

Glasgow Hawks’ Allan Kelly will now start for the Scots with Andy Adam (Currie) coming onto the bench.

Scotland club international head coach, Ally Donaldson, said: “Damien is an outstanding player and has been an asset to the club international side for some time and will be missed.

“His replacement, Allan, has performed consistently for Hawks all season, he’s a good line-out player, carries the ball well, is hard working and has a high tackle count – he’s been close to selection in the past and I’m sure he’ll grab this opportunity with both hands.”

With preparation made difficult due to weather conditions the squad took advantage of the synthetic pitch at Murrayfield and travel to France without any injury concerns.

Scotland club international squad v France at on 13 February 2009, Stade Robert Diochon, Rouen, France (ko 6.00pm)

15 Fraser Harkness (Selkirk)

14 Calum Anderson (Melrose)
13 Malcolm Clapperton (Boroughmuir)
12 Dougie Brown (Watsonians)
11 Lee Jones (Selkirk)

10 Scott Wight (Melrose)
9 Richard Snedden (Currie)

1 Alan Dymock (Heriot's)
2 Pat MacArthur (Ayr)
3 Elliot McLaren (West Of Scotland)
4 Allan Kelly (Glasgow Hawks)
5 Scott Sutherland (Ayr)
6 John Dalziel CAPTAIN (Melrose)
7 Andrew Dunlop (Ayr)
8 Ross Weston (Currie)

Replacements

16 Scott Burnett (Currie)
17 Gordon Reid (Ayr)
18 Andy Adam (Currie)
19 Dan Teague (Edinburgh Accies)
20 Alasdhair McFarlane (Ayr)
21 Gavin Craig (Selkirk)
22 Colin Goudie (Heriot's)