Robinson demands better from 'A' team scrum

Published on Thursday 26 February 2009 20:49

ANDY Robinson is keen to create a Test pressure around the Scotland 'A' team that brings the best out of players pushing for full caps, but has demanded a swift end to scrummaging frailty when his side face Italy A in Perth tonight.

The Scottish scrum struggled when Ireland 'A' won 35-10 win in Dublin. But with Allister Hogg taking over as captain and Glasgow props Moray Low and Ed Kalman back in the side, better things are expected.

Robinson said: "We were very disappointed with the way the game went against Ireland, particularly at the scrum."

With a good platform, the 'A' side undoubtedly has the potential to attack with pace and power in Perth, Simon Webster having recovered from concussion and Sean Lamont fresh after being left out by Northampton at the weekend.

With Rob Dewey and Jim Thompson on World Cup Sevens duty, Andy Henderson injured and Nick De Luca in the senior squad, fly-half Ruaridh Jackson shifts to inside centre and the experienced Gordon Ross returns in the No10 jersey in an effort to ensure the backs' potential can be realised.

Scotland 'A' (v Italy 'A' at McDiarmid Park, tonight, 7.30pm): S Jones (Newcastle); S Webster, B Cairns (both Edinburgh), R Jackson (Glasgow), S Lamont (Northampton); G Ross (Saracens), M McMillan; Ed Kalman (both Glasgow), S Lawson (Gloucester), M Low (Glasgow), S MacLeod (Edinburgh), D Turner (Glasgow), A Hogg (Edinburgh) capt, J Beattie (Glasgow), A MacDonald (Edinburgh). Subs: F Thomson (Glasgow), K Traynor, C Hamilton, S Newlands, G Laidlaw, D Blair (all Edinburgh), C Kinloch (Glasgow).

Italy 'A': A Sgarbi (Benetton Treviso); M Sepe (Capitolina), R Quartaroli (Overmach Cariparma), A Galante (Plusvalore Gran Parma), R Pavan (Overmach Cariparma); K Burton (Consiag I Cavalieri Prato), T Tebaldi (Plusvalore Gran Parma); A de Marchi (Rovigo), F Sbaraglini (Treviso), F Staibano (Castres), T Reato (Rovigo), A Pavanello (Treviso), J-F Montauriol (Venezia), P Derbyshire (Padova), S Favaro (Rovigo). Subs: D Giazzon, M Ravalle (both Overmach Cariparma), Q Geldenhuys (Viadana), A Cavalieri (Padova), S Canale (Rovigo), P Buso (Calvisano), M Neethling (Treviso).

TONIGHT

Six Nations: France v Wales (8pm)

'A' International: Scotland v Italy (at McDiarmid Park, 7.30pm)

Under-20 International: Scotland v Italy (Dens Park, Dundee, 7.30pm):

Scottish Hydro Electric National Cup fifth round: Stirling County v Ellon; Kelso v Currie.