Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has named an unchanged side to face world champions Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday. The Scots defeated the United States 53-6 last week and although that opposition was hardly the strongest, McGeechan believes his youthful team showed enough to be given a chance to face the Wallabies. It means Gregor Townsend retains his fly-half role at the expense of Duncan Hodge, with young guns Jon Steel, Jon Petrie and Simon Taylor all making a considerable step up in class from any previous experience.
Northampton back-row Budge Pountney again skippers the side whose only change comes on the replacements bench where Gordon Bulloch, having recovered from a recent bout of concussion, takes over from Steve Scott. Australia are weakened by the loss of half-back duo George Gregan and Stephen Larkham but still had enough class to beat France in Paris last weekend. However, McGeechan feels Saturday's encounter will provide a severe examination for his own team.
"We thought seriously about whether we could change things," said the Scotland coach. "We have a number of tactical options with the players we have and it took us two-and-a-half hours to decide what we should do. But we have been happy with what we have been working on over the last week and although it is a step into the unknown for some of these guys, hopefully they will perform well." (PA)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
