• Six Nations

Robinson rings the changes for Scotland

Veteran Chris Paterson returns to the Scotland side for their Six Nations opener with France © Getty Images

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Scotland coach Andy Robinson has made six changes to his side for Sunday's Six Nations opener against France.

Robinson has recalled record cap holder and points scorer Chris Paterson at fullback for his 99th appearance, and has also drafted in Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison, Gloucester prop Alasdair Dickinson and Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay.

Two of the changes were injury-enforced, with fullback Rory Lamont and flanker Alasdair Strokosch both ruled out on Monday due to ankle problems.

Despite impressing during the autumn internationals, Worcester centre Alex Grove was relegated to the bench, with the fit-again Max Evans preferred. It was a similar story with Edinburgh prop Allan Jacobsen, who lost out to Dickinson.

Barclay reclaimed the number seven jersey from Alan MacDonald, who made his debut in the defeat to Argentina last time out and is among the substitutes. Phil Godman retained the fly-half jersey, with Robinson surprisingly electing not to include either Dan Parks nor Ruaridh Jackson on the bench. Uncapped 20-year-old Glasgow lock Richie Gray is among the replacements, however.

"There has been improved competition for places since the autumn Tests and selection has been based both on achievements within the autumn matches and on current form," said Robinson. "France have a fantastic squad. The fact they defeated New Zealand in Dunedin last June illustrates that they can win and win well away from home.

"We are excited about the start of the championship but we know that we have not won our first game in the competition since 2006, so all our focus is on making a winning start against France on Sunday."

Scotland team for Six Nations match against France at Murrayfield on Sunday, February 7 (kick-off 3pm):
C Paterson (Edinburgh); T Evans (Glasgow), M Evans (Glasgow), G Morrison (Glasgow), S Lamont (Scarlets); P Godman (Edinburgh), C Cusiter (Glasgow); A Dickinson (Gloucester), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow), N Hines (Leinster), A Kellock (Glasgow), K Brown (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow).
Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Gray (Glasgow), A MacDonald (Edinburgh), R Lawson (Gloucester), A Grove (Worcester), H Southwell (Stade Francais).

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