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Fife set for Scotland debut

London - Edinburgh wing Dougie Fife is set to make his Scotland debut in their Six Nations finale against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.


Fife, 23, replaces the injured Tommy Seymour (ankle) on the right wing in one of three changes to the starting XV announced by coach Scott Johnson on Thursday from the team that suffered a heart-breaking 19-17 loss to France at Murrayfield on Sunday.

On the opposite wing, Max Evans replaces Sean Lamont, who suffered a knee injury against France.

Meanwhile, up front Glasgow's Ryan Wilson comes in for back-row Johnnie Beattie who, like Lamont, had to leave the field early against the French after sustaining an ankle injury.

Johnson delayed his team selection by 24 hours as he waited for Evans and Seymour, a try-scorer against France, to prove their fitness.

But Fife will now get his chance.

"We like Dougie's size and his competitive edge," said Johnson.

"He chases everything, which I like, and he has shown really good glimpses playing for Edinburgh this season.

"He's been earmarked by us for a while -- we've been following him for the last 12 months -- and he's got his reward now.

"If he gets this one right, you might find that he puts a bit of pressure on (for a place) going forward, which is really good.

"I don't really think Saturday will faze Dougie. He's one of those players where it doesn't seem to matter who he marks he just goes out and plays the same."

Meanwhile Fife said: "I'm absolutely delighted and can't wait. The Millennium Stadium with the roof closed -- I don't think it could be much better to be honest.

"When I got a run of games with Edinburgh and started doing fairly well I felt I could be on the brink (of a Scotland call) if I stuck in. Luckily, I've been patient and my time has come."

Scotland, who beat Italy with a last-gasp Duncan Weir drop-goal in Rome, will be looking fot their second win of this tournament and first in Cardiff since 2002.

Saturday's match will be former Wales coach Johnson's final Test in charge of Scotland before the Australian hands over to New Zealander Vern Cotter to concentrate solely on his role as director of rugby at the Scottish Rugby Union.

Teams:

Wales:
15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Substitutes: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook

Scotland:
15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Max Evans, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 David Denton, 7 Kelly Brown (captain), 6 Ryan Wilson, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Ryan Grant

Substitutes: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Chris Cusiter, Duncan Taylor, 22 Jack Cuthbert

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