Eight Warriors in Scotland selection to face Fiji

November 09, 2009

Eight Warriors in Scotland selection to face Fiji

Posted by Editor on November 9, 2009 02:47 PM | 15 comments | Print | E-mail author

Moray Low will start for Scotland

Head coach Andy Robinson has named eight Glasgow Warriors players in the Scotland team to play Fiji in the Autumn Test at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Warriors prop Moray Low, 24, will make his first international start and his first cap appearance at Murrayfield at tight-head prop. He's one of six Warriors to start the match.

Moray is joined in the forward pack by Warriors captain Alastair Kellock who lines up in the second row alongside British Lion Nathan Hines.

In the back-row, Johnnie Beattie makes his return to international rugby since winning his most recent cap against France back in 2007. John Barclay is named at openside flanker.

In the backs, Chris Cusiter will captain his country for the first time at senior level and becomes the first Glasgow Warriors player to captain Scotland since Jon Petrie in 2005.

Graeme Morrison retains his crown as Scotland’s first-choice inside centre.

On the bench, seasoned internationalist Dougie Hall is listed in addition to another potential debutant in flanker Richie Vernon.

In all there are ten changes in personnel from the Scotland team that started their last international against England at Twickenham last March for Robinson’s first match as Scotland head coach having been appointed in June.

Robinson told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org : “We have selected a side that’s full of power; that has the pace but also has the skill level to break down the Fijians.

“Fiji are above us in the IRB rankings. They are a very dangerous team to play against. They are a very strong, powerful side who also hit very hard (in the tackle). We have to match fire with fire.”

Scotland

15 Rory Lamont (Toulon)

14 Sean Lamont (Scarlets)
13 Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Simon Danielli (Ulster)

10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh)
9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors)
4 Nathan Hines (Leinster)
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors)
8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh)
18 Jason White (Clermont Auvergne)
19 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh)
21 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)
22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)

Posted by Osama bin Hidin on November 9, 2009 04:36 PM | Reply to this comment

Congratulations and good luck to all - this could be a tough game to kick-start the Autumn Tests.

Posted by liviwarrior on November 9, 2009 04:43 PM | Reply to this comment

Congratulations to all the Glasgow guys and in particular Moray on his first start and Chris on the captaincy. Good to see JB back at 8 - in fact a good strong back row with the other JB at 7. We can expect to see some big tackles going in!

Posted by Alan on November 9, 2009 08:46 PM | Reply to this comment

Go Moray!! Fantastic .. best decision of Robinson's career! He won't regret it.

Posted by Hugues on November 10, 2009 07:12 AM | Reply to this comment

I think for the first time in an International, the Glasgow fans won't moan against the coach about the selection (except maybe for Thom)
8 Warriors in the team, even 11 with the former warriors, Lamont brothers and White.

So excited, just can't wait for a come back of Scotland as a Top Rugby Nation

Posted by Steven on November 10, 2009 06:54 PM | Reply to this comment

Not convinced by the wingers - Sean Lamont hasnt looked great at Llanelli - and Danielli I've never been convinced by - cost us the game against France a couple of years back by running out his 22 with absolutely no support - got turned over and lost us points. If i were Fiji I'd be kicking in his direction - very suspect.

Would much rather have Thom - and where's Nikki Walker - his face still hurting?

Posted by sunday5 on November 11, 2009 09:22 AM | Reply to this comment

I'm quite happy with the Wingers. Thom hasn't been great this season and Sean Lamont ran right over the top of him. If there is one certain way of getting the edge over your competition for an international berth, that is it!

REALLY glad Rory Lamont has the nod over Southwell as it's definitely time for a change there. Good team which should get the right result.

Posted by mediumsizedal on November 10, 2009 08:57 PM | Reply to this comment

I'm with you - I would have liked to see one powerful winger and one paceman. Evans may still be a bit raw, but there is no substitute for sheer speed.

Posted by Alan on November 10, 2009 10:50 PM | Reply to this comment

... and Kelly!

Posted by Miss NZ on November 10, 2009 11:32 AM | Reply to this comment

And no Simon Taylor ahhh what a relief ;)

Posted by Alan on November 10, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply to this comment

Is Southwell injured or does Robinson rate Rory higher? or is it just for this one game? I know who Hadden would have chosen ;)

Posted by AJPatterson on November 12, 2009 11:28 AM | Reply to this comment

Um, I reckon Jim Thompson is the long term choice at 15 and I'm surprised he hasn't featured more this season. Is he injured or out of form?

Anyway, it's not my country and I decided not to go to the Fiji game, with other stuff anyway on Sat. I'll probably be watching it from the bar at West. But I'm getting quite excited about this one. There haven't been any really silly decisions as you got with Hadhisday, and there are some bold moves that suggest that Andy knows what he's doing. Could be the start of a new dawn for Scottish rugby and a much more competitive 6N this year. Good luck to Scotland on Sat, especially the Glasgow players!

Posted by weebaw on November 11, 2009 09:25 AM | Reply to this comment

Best selection for years but Brown should be on the bench. At last we have a proper coach and leader of men. All the dross has been cleared out from coaching staff at last.

I dont think Evans has been nearly as good as last year and not surprised by omission.

This team will perform far better and thank God Taylor seems to have been lost in France.

Posted by Hugues on November 11, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply to this comment

Do not agree with your comment about Taylor,
Quite easy, because there is a bit... of choice just now at N°8.
Fortunately for Scotland he was a world class player for some years, and always gave 100%.
"Lost in France", you're never lost when you play your Rugby in a team like Stade Français.
A real shame for his carrier, too much injuries.

Posted by Miss NZ on November 11, 2009 11:45 PM | Reply to this comment

Unfortunately for Scotland Taylor arrived with much promise but delivered little except 3 points for the opposition again and again and again. Why Haddock continued to pick him was a mystery...but there again so was much of his selection.

Posted by Hugues on November 12, 2009 06:56 AM | Reply to this comment

Not so far, Taylor was the only Scottish forward to go forward.
When you're in the back row, and involved like he was, yes some penalties.
We are still waiting for a strong hand ball carrier...like Taylor