Williams keeps faith
Scotland coach Matt Williams has kept faith with the same 15 which narrowly lost in France for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Despite Hugo Southwell’s late mistake which cost his side a famous result in Paris last weekend, Williams has opted to keep the Edinburgh Gunners man at inside-centre.
But the Scotland coach insists his whole team deserve the opportunity to prove themselves again.
Williams said: “We want as much cohesion with that group as possible and I thought they did pretty well and that’s why I’m going in with the same 22.
“This is justified reward for the positive effort from all who were involved in Paris.
“We need as much cohesion with that group as possible against the tournament favourites.”
The Scotland coach was critical of touch-judge Simon McDowell and referee Nigel Williams for decisions made in the Stade de France.
But the Australian maintains he will have no concerns over French official Joel Jutge, who will take charge for the visit of the Irish.
Williams laughed: “I support all officials – as always.”
Scotland (v Ireland): C Paterson (Edinburgh); S Danielli (The Borders), A Craig (Glasgow), H Southwell (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Glasgow); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (The Borders); T Smith (Northampton), G Bulloch (Glasgow, capt), G Kerr (Leeds), S Grimes (Newcastle), S Murray (Edinburgh), J White (Sale), A Hogg (Edinburgh), J Petrie (Glasgow).
Replacements: R Russell (London Irish), B Douglas (The Borders), N Hines (Edinburgh), J Dunbar (Leeds), M Blair (Edinburgh), G Ross (Leeds), B Hinshelwood (Worcester).
Referee: Joel Jutge (France).
Touch-judges: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) and Hugh Watkins (Wales).
Television Match Official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
