Robinson makes three changes for Pumas clash

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 22:59

ANDY Robinson's desire for a more attacking style is clear in the three changes made to the Scotland team that beat Australia for this weekend's match against Argentina.

Thom Evans and Ben Cairns return to the back line, with Alex Grove shifting to inside centre in place of Graeme Morrison, in an effort both to ensure a sharper flow of ball to the wing and an ability to find a cutting edge when it gets there. Evans was ill yesterday but Robinson is confident he will resume training today.

In the forward pack, Robinson has handed a debut to Alan MacDonald, the Edinburgh openside flanker, in a bid to further develop the competition for the No 7 jersey.

All three players called into the starting line-up performed well for Scotland A against Tonga last Friday and their selection owes something to that, but more to plans Robinson had before the autumn Test series began to freshen the side for the final Test after what he expected to be two tight internationals.

"I was looking at making changes regardless of what happened at the weekend," he explained. "I tried to limit it to subtle changes to provide a team that's raring to go on Saturday."

That includes captain Chris Cusiter, who left the field with concussion on Saturday. He has passed cognitive therapy tests and will be examined by a neurologist today. Provided he comes through that, he will start this weekend. Mike Blair has not recovered from an ankle injury and Rory Lawson keeps his place on the bench – Robinson would not elaborate on who would have made the 22 had the former skipper been fit.

More than 4,000 extra tickets have been sold since the weekend, taking the total to 23,500. However, the SRU will continue with its unpopular policy of not selling tickets on match day.

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