Paterson returns for Scotland
Scotland coach Frank Hadden has recalled Chris Paterson to his starting line-up for Saturday's crucial Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden has recalled Chris Paterson to his starting line-up for Saturday's crucial Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff.
The 29-year-old was surprisingly omitted from Hadden's side for the championship opener against France on Sunday.
After Scotland's heavy home defeat to the French, Paterson comes in for the injured Rory Lamont at full-back, and Kelly Brown replaces Dave Callam at number eight.
After fly-half Dan Parks struggled with his kicking last weekend, the Scots will be hoping Paterson, who landed 17 out of 17 attempts at goal during the World Cup, can give them scoring power against the Welsh.
Paterson will also make his 83rd appearance, nudging ahead of Gregor Townsend in the all-time list to become Scotland's most-capped back, while lock Nathan Hines wins a 50th cap.
Hadden takes his side to face a team who beat England at Twickenham last Saturday – a feat the Welsh had failed to achieve in twenty years.
“We believed last week we could win in Cardiff and that still remains the case,” said Hadden.
“Obviously we've had a dent to our confidence but the squad are now doubly determined to travel to Wales and battle for everything we can get to win on Saturday.”
Scotland: 15 Chris Paterson (Gloucester), 14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys), 13 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), 12 Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors, 11 Simon Webster (Edinburgh), 10 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh), 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), 8 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Jason White (Sale Sharks), 5 Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), 4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan), 3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), 17 Gavin Kerr (Edinburgh), 18 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), 19 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh), 20 Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), 21 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), 22 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)
Date: Saturday February 9, 2008
Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Assessor: Jim Bailey (Wales)