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Rugby Union

Hadden rings changes for Boks Test

21/08/2007

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has made four changes to the side that beat Ireland last week ahead of the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against South Africa.

The Springboks head to Murrayfield this Saturday as they prepare for next month's tournament-opener against Samoa on September 9th.

And despite Scotland's success against Ireland, one of the World Cup favourites, ten days ago when the hosts won 31-21, Hadden has chosen to make four changes to the team.

Prop Gavin Kerr replaces Allan Jacobsen in the front row, while back-row forwards Kelly Brown and Dave Callam stand in for Allister Hogg and Simon Taylor, who is carrying a slight facial injury and has not been risked.

In the backs, battering ram Nikki Walker replaces Sean Lamont on the open side wing, while Chris Paterson retains his place at fly-half alongside scrum-half Mike Blair, who is deputising for the injured Chris Cusiter.

Explaining his changes, Scotland head coach Frank Hadden said: "With our first World Cup game 19 days away Saturday is a massive challenge for us.

"As ever the selection is about identifying a team that can win. In this case it's also about striking a balance between giving as many players in the squad game time and looking for continuity after our victory earlier this month against Ireland."

Full Scotland XV:

15 Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks)
14 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
13 Rob Dewey (Ulster)
12 Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
10 Chris Paterson (Gloucester)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh);
1 Gavin Kerr (unattached)
2 Ross Ford (Glasgow Warriors)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
5 Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers)
6 Jason White (Sale Sharks, captain)
8 Dave Callam (Edinburgh)
7 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh); Scott Murray (Montauban); Allister Hogg (Edinburgh); Rory Lawson (Gloucester); Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors); Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh).

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