Scotland team to play France: Evans brothers in as Hadden rings the changes

Published on Wednesday 11 February 2009 12:56

THOM and Max Evans are among five new faces in the Scotland side for their Six Nations match against France on Saturday.

The Scotland selectors today responded to Sunday's opening Six Nations defeat to Wales by dropping three of that starting XV, while Simon Webster and Geoff Cross were ruled out by injury.

The Evans brothers take their place in a radically changed back division, which also sees Ulster's in-form Simon Danielli replace the injured Simon Webster. There is still no place for Chris Paterson, who remains on the bench.

Thom Evans comes in for Sean Lamont on the wing and Max Evans - who came off the bench to score Scotland's only try in the 13-26 loss to Wales - replaces Ben Cairns at centre.

Both Lamont and Cairns drop out the matchday 22 altogether with Edinburgh centre Nick De Luca added to the replacements.

In the forwards, Alasdair Dickinson makes his first Six Nations start, coming in for injured tighthead prop Geoff Cross. Alasdair Strokosch replaces Ally Hogg - who drops out the matchday 22 altogether - on the blindside flank.

Jason White retains his place at lock and Glasgow prop Moray Low is added to the bench.

Glasgow pair Al Kellock and Dan Parks will travel with the squad as reserves to provide additional cover at lock and stand-off respectively.

Scotland team to play France in Paris on Saturday:

15: Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)

14: Simon Danielli (Ulster)

13: Max Evans (Glasgow)

12: Graeme Morrison (Glasgow)

11: Thom Evans (Glasgow)

10: Phil Godman (Edinburgh)

9: Mike Blair (Edinburgh, captain)

1: Alan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)

2: Ross Ford (Edinburgh)

3: Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)

4: Jason White (Sale)

5: Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh)

6: Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)

8: Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)

7: John Barclay (Glasgow)

Replacements:

Dougie Hall (Glasgow); Moray Low (Glasgow); Kelly Brown (Glasgow); Scott Gray (Northampton); Chris Cusiter (Perpignan); Chris Paterson (Edinburgh); Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)