Scotland make one change for England

Nick De Luca is tackled by Mike Tindall last year
Nick De Luca is tackled by Mike Tindall last year

Nick De Luca was today recalled to the Scotland team for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.

The 26-year-old Edinburgh star will play at outside centre, in the only personnel change to the side beaten in Italy 10 days ago.

Max Evans moves to the wing, with Simon Danielli dropping to the bench.

De Luca, who will win his 16th cap this weekend, has not started for Scotland since the victory over Canada at Pittodrie in November 2008, although he did come off the bench in Rome.

Captain Chris Cusiter has shaken off a virus and flanker John Barclay has recovered from a knee injury to start.

But injuries have forced changes on the bench, with Mike Blair, Alasdair Strokosch and Alasdair Dickinson all ruled out.

Edinburgh scrum-half Blair and Gloucester prop Dickinson both suffered concussion playing for their clubs on Sunday, while Strokosch suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury.

That means substitute roles for Rory Lawson, Geoff Cross and Alan MacDonald.

Head coach Andy Robinson, who has lost all three of his RBS 6 Nations matches in charge ahead of this weekend's meeting with his former employers, said: 'The team has played some good rugby and we have been creating chances. We just need to take that next step and finish off a game.'

Of Evans playing out of position on the wing, he added: 'Max has been our most potent attacker and we also want to see Nick and the qualities that he can bring to this game.'

Scotland team for RBS 6 Nations match against England at Murrayfield on Saturday, 5pm:

H Southwell; S Lamont, N De Luca, G Morrison, M Evans; D Parks, C Cusiter (cpt); A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray; J Hamilton, A Kellock; K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie.

Replacements: S Lawson, G Cross, N Hines, A MacDonald, R Lawson, P Godman, S Danielli.

 
Related Stories
Sport Headlines

Features

View From The Other Side

French rugby journalist Arnoud David talks about the build-up to the Ireland-France clash

Read

Chance To Win England v Ireland trip

RTÉ Sport and Ulster Bank are giving you the chance to win a trip for two to see England v Ireland in London this St. Patrick's Day.

Read

Analysis: Conor O'Shea

With a six-day turnaround to overcome, Ireland must fix their attitude to improve the defence, writes Conor O'Shea

Read

In Profile: Philippe Saint-André

Tadhg Peavoy profiles France's new head coach Philippe Saint-André

Read

Against The Head: 6 February

Joanne Cantwell and guests review and analyse the weekend's RBS 6 Nations' action including Ireland's clash with Wales.

Read

Player Ratings: Ireland 21-23 Wales

Brendan Cole casts his eye over the individual performances from an Irish side that once again fell short against Wales

Read

In Pictures: Ireland 21-23 Wales

View a selection of images from Ireland's defeat to Wales in Aviva Stadium

Read

 
Inpho.ie