Scotland have made two changes from their starting XV and a further four alterations to their bench for Saturday’s EMC Test against South Africa at Murrayfield. Euan Murray, the 32-year-old tighthead prop who was man of the match when the nations clashed at Murrayfield in 2008, is restored at tight-head prop having missed the New Zealand game due to his religious observance, with Geoff Cross moving to the bench.
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Elsewhere in the pack, Edinburgh Rugby’s David Denton, who replaced the injured Ross Rennie against New Zealand, retains his berth in the back-row with captain Kelly Brown confirmed at openside.
Almost 56,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s EMC Test, meaning Scotland are set to smash box-office attendance records for Test matches at this time of year by the time they play Tonga in Aberdeen.
On the bench, Dougie Hall, whose most recent cap was in the Rugby World Cup pool match against Argentina in Wellington last year, is preferred to Scott Lawson; and Cross takes the place of his Edinburgh colleague Allan Jacobsen, who is unavailable for personal reasons.
The experienced John Barclay returns to the match-day squad and there’s a first involvement in a Scotland 23 for Barclay’s Glasgow Warriors’ team-mate, the uncapped 26-year-old Peter Murchie who is nominated instead of Max Evans.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “We know we’re in for a bruising battle against South Africa this weekend and we will be primed for that physical confrontation.
“But we also have to be smart in how we approach this game and do our utmost to ensure we get on the front foot and get the result that will move us into the top eight in the IRB world rankings ahead of next month’s 2015 Rugby World Cup draw.
“I was pleased with Euan’s contribution both at scrummage and in open play during the summer tour, while David Denton’s aggressive carrying is something that really gets the crowd going.
“Dougie Hall has had a good season for Glasgow and I know that John Barclay has been one of our most consistent and reliable back-row forwards since he made his debut five years ago.
“Peter Murchie is another who has had a fine start to the season with Glasgow and his desire to dominate in aerial combat has been a factor in selection.”
Scotland team (sponsor RBS) to play South Africa in the EMC Test at Murrayfield on Saturday 17 November (kick-off 2.30pm)
15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 1 try, 5 points
14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 69 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
13 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby) 36 caps, 1 try, 5 points
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 5 caps
11 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 caps, 4 tries 20 points
10 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 caps, 2 tries, 10 conversions, 16 penalties, 78 points
9 Mike Blair (Brive) 84 caps, 7 tries, 35 points
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 62 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Agen) 47 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Sale Sharks) 25 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 40 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) 29 caps, 1 try, 5 points
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) CAPTAIN, 50 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 7 caps
Substitutes
16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 37 caps, 1 try, 5 points
17 Kyle Traynor (Bristol Rugby) 3 caps
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 15 caps, 1 try, 5 points
19 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 45 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 39 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
22 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps, 2 conversions, 2 penalties, 2 drop-goals, 16 points
23 Peter Murchie (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland) and Cristophe Berdos (France). TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Good to see John Barclay back as expected with Rennie out (pity for Rennie with his injury though), interesting to see 3 strong ball carrying loose forwards starting – no ‘fetcher’
Think Lawson may be unlucky to miss out but guess there is not too much between him and Dougie Hall at hooker, Ford can probably consider himself lucky to be starting, didn’t think he would be dropped completely but thought he may be shifted to the bench and let Lawson get a chance to start.
Surprising to see Max Evans completely out of the team he has been one of Scotland better backline players in recent time mmmmm wonder what’s going on there. Anyway congratulations to Peter Murchie who takes Evans place on the bench and will be hoping to come on for his first test cap.
1 @ Bullscot:
For once I can say we have a fetcher…lol. That could make a huge difference to the game on Saturday bud. Pity your player picked up a injury on Saturday.
Peter Murchie is a big fullback at 1.91m and 95 kg who plays for Glasgow and has played well this season earning his call up to the squad so maybe his bulk is what got him the nod ahead of Max Evans – note to Mr Robinson – bigger is not always better (unless Max is carrying an injury then my humble apologies)
4 @ Puma:
Yes Puma Francois Louw seems to have come in and done a good job of ‘fetching’ and making lots of tackles, I do recall though in certain circles there was some resistance to his initial selection back into the squad now that he plays for Bath but he has silenced any critics. But he is not perhaps in the same class as McCaw and Pocock and that along with Rennie’s injury probably helped Robinson make his mind up, I guess fetching is a role maybe we will see Barclay do off the bench.
Regarding Peter Murchie Robinson said “his desire to dominate in aerial combat has been a factor in selection” so I guess yes it is him being taller that got him on the bench ahead of Max Evans, Scotland seem to be planning to have to field a lot of high balls being kicked at them then by the Boks.
It doesn’t really matter who wins this one as long as we get to see a good quality game (ok maybe I would just be a tiny little bit happier if the Boks won 🙂 )
7 @ Bullscot:
Well that is a dead cert, there will be many high balls coming down their way. Just wish we never played that way, but that is the game plan and we will be doing it. Every team in the world know what we gonna do. Just seems mindless sometimes.
6 @ Bullscot:
With us having a fetcher think the Scots might struggle there now.
I notice that Euan Murray is a Scottish Jewish Christian.
More a sort of Golan Highlander then….
10 @ fender:
Hahaha
@ fender:
Hey fender.
Did you see my link on the spier breeding program for anatolian shepards?
12 @ Stormersboy:
Talking about dogs… I had the strangest breed ever, I’m sure!
It was a Cokerott…. a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Rottweiler.
Looked like a woolly Rottweiler running downhill the whole time. Had shorter front legs than those at the back… and it was as thick (doff) as pigshit!
@ grootblousmile:
haha Cokerot. I must remember that.
🙂
14 @ Stormersboy:
Was funny as all hell… it was a rescue dog… the ex was a sucker for punisment and totally naiive.
Had floppy ears like the Cocker Spaniel… the dog, not the ex. Was my first dog whilst married… no second… no wait it was the first, the ex only turned into a dog later…
Hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
We are going to get the boys a dog for Christmas, looking around at the moment. We like Staffies, great with families and with a fairly high pain threshold which will come in handy with my two boys. I suspect he’ll give as good as he gets though.
16 @ Stormersboy:
Staffies are great!
My favourite dog though is a Rhodesian Ridgeback… great with children, potective, tough, gentle, intelligent… resilient.
@ grootblousmile:
Yes if we had a bigger back yard that would be a great choice. We have friends who farm in the Eastern Cape and they have them. Amazing dogs.
18 @ Stormersboy:
How old are your boys, Stormersdad
@ grootblousmile:
I have a 10 year old and a 4 year old. Great kids.
20 @ Stormersboy:
Kids are great, yes!
What would we do without them!
Luckily my only son is 19… the daughter is not mine, she’s Handbriekie’s from a previous relationship… although I have accepted her like my own.
Now you have a duty to raise the boys right, so raise them as Bulls supporters, OK!
@ grootblousmile:
Haha they are dyed in the wool WP manne. My youngest comes running when there’s a game with the All Blacks, he loves to watch the Haka.
About a year ago I was watching a Bledisloe cup game and the Kiwis were doing their thing and my youngest turned to me and asked with total sincerity:
“Daddy, are they going to eat the lellow (yellow) men??”
Classic stuff. He’s been hooked ever since!
Quite a responsibility raising boys, they model after you so the pressure to set the right example is great. A great privilege too though!
22 @ Stormersboy:
Marvelous!
BonzaiGBS is a good young man, not rebellious… easy to be around, solid ideas and big plans.
Gives the girls a bloody good go….. hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
Nice man. Amazing to see the world again through young eyes.
24 @ Stormersboy:
I hope you realize you’ve got 12 full school years left… hehehe
Anyway friend, I’m off to go do a little R&R in the house, even though my wife is in Camps Bay and attending a UCT course near the Waterfront this week.
@ grootblousmile:
Cheers boet. Have a good one!
Stormer, yes thanks for the link. I’m going to follow up.
@ fender:Is the fender a reference to the guitar by any chance?
Stormerboy, yes I’m refering to my favourite brand of electric guitar in my nick…
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