A look at the Scotland players

15 HUGO SOUTHWELL

Edinburgh

Age: 26 Height: 6'2"

Caps: 30 Weight: 15st 2lbs

He was originally capped as a centre but has made the fullback role his own under Frank Hadden. Big boot, he's inclined at times to let games drift by with minimal impact. A decent attacking player when in the mood.

14 SEAN LAMONT

Northampton

Age: 26 Height: 6'2"

Caps: 29 Weight: 16st

One of two brothers who play on the wing, Sean is an excellent, balanced runner with a decent step and pace to burn. He also offers a physical presence. If he features on Saturday then Scotland are going well.

13 MARCUS DI ROLLO

Edinburgh

Age: 28 Height: 6'1"

Caps: 18 Weight: 15st

A decent player, he's a favourite of the coach and has settled into the outside-centre role. In the Celtic League and European Cup, he's proved a handful for the Irish provinces. There's nothing wrong with his defence.

12 ROB DEWEY

Edinburgh

Age: 23 Height: 6'3"

Caps: 4

Weight: 17st 2lbs

A player of genuine potential and ability and a significant coup for Ulster, whom he joins during the summer. Strong and direct, he is a real handful who has been singled out by the Leinster coach Michael Cheika as a player who causes problems.

11 CHRIS PATERSON (capt)

Edinburgh

Age: 28 Height: 6'

Caps: 73 Weight: 12st 5lbs

Statistically he is the leading place-kicker in the Six Nations Championship. Forget about his lack of bulk; Paterson (right), is an elusive runner. He generally leads by example and the fact that he started his career at fullback almost guarantees he is safe under the high ball.

10 DAN PARKS

Glasgow

Age: 28 Height: 5'11"

Caps: 28 Weight: 14st 4lbs

Australian-born outhalf who wins the starting role from Phil Godman. More likely than the man he replaces to drop deep and mix up the game. Won't have to worry about place-kicking duties, which should help his game.

9 CHRIS CUSITER

Border Reivers

Age: 24 Height: 5'10"

Caps: 29 Weight: 13st

Will have had nightmares about the first six minutes of the Italian match, in which he played a role in conceding the first two tries. He is, however, a much better player than those dodgy decisions indicated. Will have to be watched closely by the Irish backrow.

1 GAVIN KERR

Border Reivers

Age: 29 Height: 6'2"

Caps: 39 Weight: 17st 10lbs

Represented Scotland at under-18, under-19 and under-21 and has made the jersey his own in recent seasons. Very mobile and pops up regularly in the loose.

2 DOUGIE HALL

Edinburgh

Age: 26 Height: 6'

Caps: 17 Weight: 15st 6lbs

Another who has represented his country at underage and also played for the A team. Hall (right) made his senior debut in a warm-up game against Wales prior to the 2003 World Cup. Has a reputation as a lineout thrower, something he'll be hoping to enhance here.

3 EUAN MURRAY

Glasgow

Age: 26 Height: 6'1"

Caps: 7 Weight: 18st 10lbs

His 2005-2006 season was dogged by injury. In the tradition of Scottish props he is mobile and contributes a great deal outside of the set-pieces. Has lately agreed to join Northampton.

4 NATHAN HINES

Perpignan

Age: 30 Height: 6'7"

Caps: 40 Weight: 18st 4lbs

Brought into the squad to add a harder edge, the Australian-born secondrow retired from international rugby after falling out with the previous coach, Matt Williams. Seems reinvigorated by his move to Perpignan and Frank Hadden's arrival.

5 SCOTT MURRAY

Edinburgh

Age: 31 Height: 6'6"

Caps: 82 Weight: 17st 10lbs

A promising basketball player in his youth, he is one of the finest lineout exponents in the world game, something borne out by the fact the Scots have pilfered 30 per cent of opposition ball in this year's tournament.

6 SIMON TAYLOR

Edinburgh

Age: 28 Height: 6'4"

Caps: 51 Weight: 17st 12lbs

Probably the most naturally gifted forward in Scottish rugby, a fact endorsed by his upcoming move to Stade Français. Athletic, mobile, strong and a fine ball player.

7 KELLY BROWN

Edinburgh

Age: 24 Height: 6'4"

Caps: 11 Weight: 16st

Appears to have almost as many critics as fans in Scotland. But he's a really hard-working backrow forward who excels in his support play and is part of a very tall backrow unit.

8 DAVID CALLAM

Border Reivers

Age: 24 Height: 6'4"

Caps: 6 Weight: 16st 11lbs

Another promising young player, he's in the team primarily because Ally Hogg is still coming back from injury and starts this match on the bench. A former Scotland under-21 captain, he made his debut against Australia in November.