Robinson makes one change as Scotland aim to avoid wooden spoon

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has decided to stick with the majority of the team which lost at Twickenham for this Saturday’s wooden spoon decider with Italy at Murrayfield.

He has made only one change, dropping tighthead prop Moray Low from the squad and handing the no.3 shirt to Edinburgh’s Geoff Cross. Euan Murray, who was unavailable for the last two games because of religious reasons, returns to the squad but has to settle for a place on the bench. Kelly Brown, the Scotland no.8 who was knocked out trying to tackle England’s Matt Banahan on Sunday, is named in the team but still has to progress through the official medical checks before he can play.

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Hooker Ross Ford, blamed by many for Scotland’s woeful line-out performance on Sunday, will count himself lucky that Robinson has given him another chance to hit his jumpers, but Ford will have to play much better on Saturday to guarantee his place in the starting line-up when the World Cup begins in September. Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson is rewarded for his sound display in the 22–16 loss to England with his third consecutive start, with Dan Parks continuing on the bench. For Cross, the 28-year-old Edinburgh tight-head prop, Saturday’s match will represent his first international start for two years. “We have chosen Geoff at tight-head prop," Robinson said today, "as he made a good impact when he was introduced on Sunday in both set-piece and open play. “We have been watching Geoff’s performances very closely since the A international win against the Irish at Netherdale back in January and he fully deserves this chance.” Robinson reiterated the team’s determination to reward Scotland fans for their support this season against an Italian team that were “rightly lauded” for their win against France. “We know from our own experience that Italy are formidable opponents, especially at the Stadio Flaminio, and our focus this week is on stepping up our performance on our home soil and producing a hard-nosed, complete 80-minute display that the players are capable of delivering and that will give our supporters something to cheer.” The Scotland team to play Italy (Murrayfield, Saturday 19 March, kick-off 2:30pm): 15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 14 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), 13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), 12 Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 11 Simon Danielli (Ulster), 10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester), 1 Allan Jacobsen, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Geoff Cross (all Edinburgh), 4 Richie Gray, 5 Alastair Kellock, captain (both Glasgow Warriors), 6 Nathan Hines (Leinster), 8 Kelly Brown (Saracens), 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors). Substitutes: 16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester), 17 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), 18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), 19 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), 20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh), 21 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), 22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh). Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia). Assistant referees: Alan Lewis and John Lacey (both Ireland). Television match official: Hugh Watkins (Wales).

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