Six Nations: Hines replaces unwell Gray in Scotland XV
2011 SIX NATIONS: SCOTLAND v WALES Venue: Murrayfield Stadium Date: Saturday, 12 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT Coverage: Watch live on BBC One from 1635, and on the Red Button and online; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio Scotland; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Also broadcast on BBC America.
Advertisement
Robinson waits on Gray fitness
Scotland forward Richie Gray has been unable to recover from a stomach bug ahead of the the Six Nations match against Wales at Murrayfield.
Gray, who was set to keep his place in the starting XV, will be replaced in the second row with Nathan Hines, who is moved from blindside flanker.
Brown takes over at blindside flanker and number eight Richie Vernon is promoted from the bench.
Vernon's place amongst the replacements is taken by lock forward Scott MacLeod.
Glasgow Warriors second-row Gray did not train on Friday and Edinburgh's MacLeod was drafted in as a precaution.
Andy Robinson had originally named an unchanged starting XV for the second match of the championship in Edinburgh.
The 21-year-old Gray was arguably Scotland's best performer in the 26-19 against France in their tournament opener in Paris.
Robinson had looked to deploy the same men against the Welsh and had been boosted with the news that scrum-half Rory Lawson and wings Max Evans and Nikki Walker had shaken off knocks.
We know we have to be more accurate and ruthless this weekend
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson
The only change to the match-day 22 was due to be Gloucester hooker Scott Lawson coming onto the bench for the injured Dougie Hall.
The Scotland head coach praised elements of Scotland's opening defeat by France in Paris but expects a better result against Wales.
Wales started their campaign with a spirited performance against England but lost 26-19 and Robinson is mindful the visitors will provide formidable opposition.
"We were disappointed as players and management that we did not start the championship with a win against France," he said.
"We are determined to put that right with an improved performance against Wales.
"Wales showed again last weekend that they are combative and skilful and play for the full 80 minutes and we know we have to be more accurate and ruthless this weekend."
Captain Alastair Kellock will lead out Scotland in a Murrayfield international for the first time.
The match will also be a royal occasion as Scottish Rugby's patron, HRH the Princess Royal, will attend the match as a guest of honour.
Robinson added: "We know from the tremendous support we received during the autumn that the crowd have a part to play on days that the whole nation can reflect on with pride."
Scotland team: Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Nikki Walker (Ospreys), Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors); Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) Rory Lawson (Gloucester); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors, capt), Kelly Brown (Saracens), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements: Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets).
Bookmark with:
What are these?