Share

Scots name side for France

Edinburgh - Scotland coach Vern Cotter has given Six Nations debuts to Mark Bennett, Finn Russell and Blair Cowan in the team he announced on Thursday for their 2015 Championship opener away to France in Paris on Saturday.

Following an encouraging end-of-year-series, Cotter's 1st XV for what will also be the New Zealander's first Six Nations match as Scotland coach shows just two changes from the team that beat Tonga 37-12 in November with the Glasgow pair of outside centre Bennett and tighthead prop Euan Murray recalled.

Up front, Jonny and Richie Gray will pack down alongside each other in the second row for the fourth consecutive Test, with the side again captained by Gloucester scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw.

The Scotland skipper will have Glasgow flyhalf Russell outside him, with 'kilted Kiwi' Cowan at openside flank.

"Seeing the passion and desire among our players in the build up to the tournament has been special," Cotter said in a Scottish Rugby Union statement.

"The players really enjoy the atmosphere of these big occasions, and the pressure of having to perform for their country, in front of huge crowds."

Cotter, who previously coached French Top 14 club Clermont, added: "France will be tough. They will be very difficult to contain so we'll have to stay tight as a unit, work hard for each other and try to apply some pressure.

"It'll be a very tough start to the championship, but we're looking forward to that challenge."

France have won their last eight matches against Scotland but were pushed close last year before recording a 19-17 victory at Murrayfield.

Teams:


France

15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Alexandre Menini

Substitutes: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Eddy Ben Arous, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Remi Lamerat

Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson

Substitutes: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Dougie Fife

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 Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 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