Two changes in Scots team to play England

Scotland coach Matt Williams today named two changes in his side to take on world champions England in the Six Nations battle…

Scotland coach Matt Williams today named two changes in his side to take on world champions England in the Six Nations battle at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Following their dismal defeat in Wales last week, he has promoted Edinburgh's centre/wing Simon Webster and Sale Sharks' lock/back-row forward Jason White to his starting 15.

Edinburgh's Allister Hogg, who made his debut in Cardiff, and Glasgow's Andrew Henderson have made way

Italy fullback Andrea Masi will miss their match away to France on Saturday in a side with three changes announced by coach John Kirwan.

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The 22-year-old Arix Viadana player, who won his place with impressive World Cup performances, picked up a muscle strain in training this week and will be replaced at the Stade de France by South African-born Roland De Marigny, usually a flyhalf.

Kirwan made two other changes to the backline of the side that lost 50-9 to England in their opening match of the tournament in Rome last weekend.

Stade Francais winger Mirco Bergamasco replaces Nicola Mazzucato, while Matteo Barbini steps in for injured centre Manuel Dallan, who sprained his ankle against England and looks set, but not certain, to start on the bench.


Scotland:15-Ben Hinshelwood; 14-Simon Danielli, 13-Tom Philip, 12-Brendan Laney, 11-Simon Webster; 10-Chris Paterson (captain), 9-Chris Cusiter; 8-Simon Taylor, 7-Allister Hogg, 6-Cameron Mather, 5-Stuart Grimes, 4-Scott Murray, 3-Bruce Douglas, 2-Gordon Bulloch, 1-Tom Smith. Replacements: 16-Rob Russell, 17-Gavin Kerr, 18- Allister Hogg, 19- Nathan Hines, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Dan Parks, 22- Andrew Henderson.

Italy:15-Roland De Marigny; 14-Mirco Bergamasco, 13-Cristian Stoica, 12-Matteo Barbini, 11-Denis Dallan; 10-Rima Wakarua, 9-Paul Griffen; 8-Sergio Parisse, 7-Aaron Persico, 6-Andrea De Rossi (captain), 5-Marco Bortolami, 4-Santiago Dellape, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 2-Fabio Ongaro, 1-Andrea Lo Cicero. Replacements: 16-Carlo Festuccia, 17-Salvatore Perugini, 18-Carlo Checchinato, 19-Silvio Orlando, 20-Simon Picone, 21-Nicola Mazzucato, 22-Manuel Dallan.