Share

Scots opt for Jackson

Wellington - Ruaridh Jackson will start at flyhalf in place of Dan Parks for Scotland's crunch Pool B clash with Argentina on Sunday because of his superior passing and running game.

Jackson is one of five changes from the team that beat Georgia 15-6 last week, coach Andy Robinson also recalling Scotland's most capped player Chris Paterson at fullback instead of Rory Lamont.

Up front, prop Geoff Cross, lock Richie Gray and openside flanker John Barclay replace Euan Murray, Nathan Hines and Ross Rennie, Murray ruled out of Sunday's match because of his religious beliefs.

Scrum-half Rory Lawson will skipper the team for the game that will likely decide the group runners-up.

"I have picked a team to beat Argentina," said Robinson, the former England flank and coach.

"The selection is simply about this match and we must view it as another match, while affording our opponents the respect they deserve.

"We have met Argentina five times since the last Rugby World Cup so we both know each others' styles and strengths."

Robinson said that his team could draw confidence from a first southern hemisphere Test series win over Argentina last summer, but warned that Los Pumas were an improving side.

"We can draw confidence from our victories in Tucuman and Mar del Plata last year, just as Argentina will retain happy memories from their win at Murrayfield in 2009," he said.

"I also believe that Argentina - as they have already demonstrated in the last two months - are a better team than we faced on their soil last year."

The Scottish have notched up two wins from two games played, beating Romania 34-24 and Georgia 15-6, while Los Pumas lost to England 13-9 before rebounding to beat the Romanians 43-8.

Teams

Scotland:
15 Chris Paterson, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 Kelly Brown, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen

Substitutes: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Dan Parks, 22 Simon Danielli

Argentina:
TBA
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
65% - 478 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
35% - 263 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE