Scotland bring in De Luca to face Ireland

Scotland have made one change to their starting team to face Ireland at Dublin in Saturday’s Six Nations Nations Championship match.

Nick De Luca, the Edinburgh centre, who impressed off the bench against France, returns with Sean Lamont moving to take up his customary wing berth in place of his injured younger brother, Rory.

On the bench meanwhile, there are three changes with Euan Murray, Ruaridh Jackson and Max Evans replacing Ed Kalman, Duncan Weir and De Luca respectively.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “We did many good things in the game against France but we need to be better, especially in our accuracy and execution at breakdown, in order to beat Ireland.

“If we do the basic things well and are ruthless in contact then we can put ourselves in a position to defeat a very good Ireland team.”

Robinson is asking De Luca to replicate the form he showed against France by handing him the starting berth, while he also welcomes back Jackson. “Ruaridh has worked hard and done well in his games with Glasgow.

“He had a tough time with injury following the Rugby World Cup but he has the strength of character required in international rugby.

“We are also delighted to see Max and Euan back in the squad and look forward to their contribution this weekend.”

Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg,14 Lee Jones , 13 Nick De Luca , 12 Graeme Morrison , 11 Sean Lamont ,10 Greig Laidlaw , 9 Mike Blair, 8 David Denton , 7 Ross Rennie , 6 John Barclay , 5 Jim Hamilton , 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross , 2 Ross Ford (C),1 Allan Jacobsen

Replacements : 16 Scott Lawson , 17 Euan Murray , 18 Alastair Kellock , 19 Richie Vernon , 20 Chris Cusiter , 21 Ruaridh Jackson , 22 Max Evans