Jumat, 13 Juni 2008

Pumas : Paterson milestone as Scotland rejig

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Chris Paterson will become Scotland's most-capped player when his team play Argentina in the second Test here on Saturday looking for just their second win in eight matches.

Scotland have made six changes, two of them positional, in a bid to rebound from the disappointing 21-15 loss in the first Test in Rosario.

The Edinburgh trio of full-back Hugo Southwell, wing Simon Webster and stand-off Phil Godman are drafted into the starting line-up in the backs and Glasgow Warriors openside John Barclay promoted to the back-row.

Paterson, switched from full-back to wing, will become Scotland's most capped player with his 88th appearance, while Allister Hogg moves from flanker to No 8.

"The only reason for the changes is to finish the season with a win," said coach Frank Hadden.

"The key change is the stand-off Phil Godman (in place of Dan Parks). He's been playing consistently well for some time now and deserves this opportunity.

"It makes sense if we are to get the best out of him to surround him with familiar faces.

"We believe that the breakdown was an area of concern from last week and that is reflected in John Barclay's inclusion," said Hadden.

"We expect him to do what he normally does extremely well and help us to be more effective in that area."

Paterson, who will overtake Scott Murray's cap record, said the whole Scottish squad felt disappointed at their poor season.

"There's not much time to dwell on records," Paterson told BBC Scotland. "I want to push on and contribute more playing for Scotland.

"The mood in Scottish rugby reflects the need for wins, as we've only beaten England since the World Cup.

"We're conscious of the fact that we haven't had a great season. That's unacceptable. But no one feels the pain and the hurt more than the players.

"We need to start winning, especially with the World Cup draw coming up and the results over the last few seasons."

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan meanwhile has made just two changes for the game at the Velez Sarlsfield, leaving his forwards intact and rotating in a new pair of wingers.

Lucas Borges and Horacio Agulla will start on the wings in place of Jose Maria Nunez Piossek and Tomas De Vedia.

Argentina (15-1)

Bernardo Stortoni; Lucas Borges, Gonzalo Tiesi,Felipe Contepomi (capt), Horacio Agulla; Federico Todeschini, Nicolas Vergallo; Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Martin Durand; Esteban Lozada, Ignacio Fernández Lobbe; Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino, Alvaro Tejeda, Marcos Ayerza

Replacements: Pablo Gambarini, Juan Gomez, James Stuart, Alvaro Galindo, Alfredo Lalanne, Federico Martin Aramburu, Federico Serra

Scotland (15-1)

Hugo Southwell; Chris Paterson, Ben Cairns, Graeme Morrison, Simon Webster; Phil Godman, Mike Blair (capt); Allister Hogg, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch; Scott MacLeod, Matt Mustchin; Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown, Rory Lawson, Dan Parks, Nick De Luca

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRL)

Touch judges: Alan Lewis (IRL) and Cobas Wessells (RSA)