Hadden hands out debuts
Scotland coach Frank Hadden has named three new caps in the side to face Argentina on Saturday while Chris Paterson will equal Scott Murray’s record cap total.
Edinburgh pair Ben Cairns and Matt Mustchin, the New Zealand-born lock who only qualified for Scotland through residency rights last week, will join Glasgow winger Thom Evans in making their Scotland debuts.
At the other end of the spectrum, Paterson will make his 87th full international appearance when Scotland play the first of two Tests against Argentina in Rosario.
Hadden, who has also recalled number eight Johnnie Beattie, said: “I’ve been tracking Ben Cairns 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 this weekend.”
Scotland's starting XV to face Argentina on Saturday in Rosario: C Paterson (Gloucester); S Danielli (Ulster), B Cairns (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow), T Evans (Glasgow); D Parks (Glasgow), Mike Blair (Edinburgh, captain); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton), M Mustchin (Edinburgh), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), A Strokosch (Gloucester), J Beattie (Glasgow), A Hogg (Edinburgh).
Replacements: D Hall (Glasgow), A Dickinson (Gloucester), A Kellock (Glasgow), K Brown (Gloucester), R Lawson (Gloucester), P Godman (Edinburgh), S Webster (Edinburgh).
