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Ronbinson wants pace on Scotland's wings

Article Published: Wednesday 25 November 2009

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Andy Robinson said he wanted to inject some extra speed into his backline after announcing three changes to the Scotland side that stunningly beat Australia for this weekend's Test against Argentina.

Ben Cairns, fit again following a knee injury, returns at outside centre and Thom Evans, a genuine 'flyer', is recalled on the wing.

They take the places of Graeme Morrison and Simon Danielli respectively after the duo struggled to make much headway in last Saturday's thrilling 9-8 win over the Wallabies - their first victory against Australia in 27 years.

Meanwhile flanker Alan MacDonald is set to make his debut in place of back-row John Barclay, who put in marathon defensive stints in the wins over both Fiji and Australia at Murrayfield.

Saturday's match at their Edinburgh headquarters will be Scotland's third and final international of the November programme.

And whatever any doubts some Scotland fans may have harboured about appointing a former England flanker and coach to be in charge of their national side are surely being re-assessed now.

The Pumas match will be ex-Edinburgh chief Robinson's third in charge and another win would see him become the first Scotland coach since 2002 to oversee a hat-trick of November wins.

Explaining his selection changes, Robinson said: "In the back line, I just wanted to freshen it up a little bit with a bit of pace," Robinson said.

"Thom Evans brings that; he's the quickest player in the team.

"Ben Cairns has been playing well at 13, and potentially would have started if he'd have been fit."

Cairns's return means Alex Grove moves across to inside centre.

"Alex has been the stand-out performer in the back line and he's really held the back line together with his defence, so we're looking at him playing at 12," Robinson said.

Meanwhile Robinson stressed Barclay was being rested for his own good rather than dropped for his form.

"I saw this as an opportunity to give Alan MacDonald a start.

One, because he's been playing well for the A team, but also because of how John has performed - he has done well - and the punishment that he has taken."

Chris Cusiter has recovered from the head knock that forced him off after 20 minutes against Australia, but co-captain and rival scrum-half Mike Blair is again ruled out with an ankle injury.

Robinson stressed that while Scotland had duly celebrated their first win over Australia since 1982, they were now firmly focused on Argentina.

"The players enjoyed themselves, as the management team did," he said.

"I think everybody kept their feet on the ground as well.

"Certainly, in the dressing room, there was great joy, but also understanding and appreciation of the hard work that had been put in.

"The players were really looking forward to playing against Argentina."

And while the Pumas, who have been beaten by both England and Wales on their tour, may appear on paper a weaker side than the Wallabies, Robinson said it was unrealistic to expect Scotland to win by conceding some three-quarters of possession and putting in over 200 tackles, as they did against Australia.

"We've got to make sure that we enjoy playing with the ball in hand this week, as opposed to giving it straight back to the Argentinians."

 
 
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