DEBUT boy Ben Cairns believes Scotland can earn revenge over Argentina tomorrow – if they take a leaf out of Edinburgh's book by not changing their style on enemy territory.
The Capital-based centre makes his maiden Test appearance in the opening tussle with the Pumas in Rosario as the Scots aim to make amends for last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat in Paris.
And an upbeat Cairns is convinced the target is achi
evable, as long as the mindset of Frank Hadden's side is right. He declared: "The big thing we did with Edinburgh last season was to refuse to change our game simply because we were playing away.
"There should not be an inbuilt mentality that, just because you are not in your own comfort zone, that you should approach things differently. It is still all about playing your own brand of rugby and imposing it on the opposition.
"In the past, Edinburgh were known as a team that folded as the season wore on.
"But, in the season that has just ended, we put together a run of positive results like we have never experienced before, especially on the road.
"We got our attitude right when we went to Wales in the Magners League, where we were unbeaten and that was a massive feat."
Cairns is one of three new caps for the Rosario showdown, along with clubmate lock Matt Mustchin and Glasgow winger Thom Evans.
He added: "As the season went on, I was 24th man against Italy in the Six Nations and I knew that I was in good form.
"My goal was to get on tour. Once your are on tour, you are not here to make up the numbers, you want to play. Now I have been given the opportunity and I am determined to make the most of it.
"It is going to be a massive test for us.
"If Pumas playmaker Felipe Contepomi gets on the front foot, he is one of the best in the world, so it is important that we put him under pressure from the start.
"Obviously we know a lot about Bernie Stortoni from Glasgow. He is really good under the high ball so we know he is a threat.
"It is a massive challenge, the Argentines are such a passionate team, especially at home that we know it will be a really tough game."
Coach Hadden revealed the past few weeks had been the most challenging period of his reign because so many of his frontline players were either injured or unavailable to tour through club commitments in France.
But he added: "It is a tribute to my assistants, Sean Lineen and Andy Robinson, that we are still in a position where we are confident we can beat the third best side in the world.
"Sean and Andy have done fantastic work with Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively and they have played a part in the elevation of the new caps.
"Consistency has been the byword for all three of them and they deserve their chance at this level.
"A few weeks ago, there was uncertainty over who would be in the line-up – however in the end, the selection was unanimous among the coaches.
"I've been tracking Ben since he was 17 as he looked like a future outside centre.
"He is very mature both on and off the field and has the ability to play his role so it brings out the best of those around about him.
"I spoke to Thom before the World Cup and told him that his whole season should be geared to getting on the plane to Argentina. "He thoroughly deserves this opportunity as he's a very exciting talent. Matt is abrasive and combative the sort of qualities that will be ideally suited to the forward battle with the Pumas."
Johnnie Beattie, 22, whose last Scotland appearance was in the Six Nations Championship clash against France, returns to win his fourth cap at No.8.
The cap is reward from Hadden's perspective for the greater consistency he has shown this year.
Chris Paterson has been selected at full back and will be looking to stretch his goal-kicking record from 33 without a miss.
Hadden added: "Sometimes, in the pursuit of winning matches, coaches gloss over this kind of milestone, but everyone has to acknowledge the significance of this landmark and it is one that Chris richly deserves."
Paterson, however, was typically modest in assessing his achievement. He said: "You have to be proud of what you have achieved but the moment to start dwelling on it is sometime in the future.
"Records are not the finishing line. What I aim for is to produce a performance where I have as a big an impact as possible in helping Scotland to win."
Scotland team: C Paterson (Edinburgh); S Danielli (Ulster), B Cairns (Edinburgh), G Morrison, T Evans; D Parks (all Glasgow), M Blair, capt; A Jacobsen, R Ford (all Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton), M Mustchin (Edinburgh), S MacLeod (Llanelli), A Strokosch (Gloucester), A Hogg, (Edinburgh), J Beattie (Glasgow). Subs: D Hall (Glasgow), A Dickinson (Gloucester), A Kellock, K Brown (both Glasgow), R Lawson (Gloucester), P Godman, S Webster (both Edinburgh).
Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).
The full article contains 883 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
