France v Scotland, Six Nations, Stade de France, February 5
Hines ready to 'tear into' France
ESPNscrum Staff
February 2, 2011
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Players/Officials: Nathan Hines
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: France | Scotland

Scotland's Nathan Hines is ready to 'tear into' France in their Six Nations opener at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The British & Irish Lions tourist has been named at blindside flanker for the vital fixture, which comes at a ground where Scotland have won only once - back in 1999 to claim the last Five Nations title.

"Everybody's keen to tear into them," the 34-year-old said. "It's going to be, no doubt, physical, but we're preparing ourselves for it."

Hines is not worried by his positional switch, having started there in November's famous Murrayfield win over South Africa. Skipper Alastair Kellock and youngster Richie Gray start in the second-row, while Hines is joined in the loose-trio by openside John Barclay and No.8 Kelly Brown.

"Once it gets past second and third phase it's not so much different. I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Scotland have won in Paris only twice in the last 42 years - in 1995 and 1999 - but Hines believes that the pressure is on the hosts following their record 59-16 loss to Australia in November.

"History in France would suggest the pressure is firmly on them," he said. "They're going to have to struggle to keep their home record intact against us.

"We're just worried about going out and playing the way we can and the way we have been. Our form has been good and we just want to continue that. Last year we were slow starters in the Six Nations and we can't let that happen again."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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