Scotland coach Vern Cotter has defended his decision to call up New Zealand-born flanker Hugh Blake for his RBS 6 Nations squad.

Connacht coach Pat Lam is taking nothing for granted after victory over Munster, naming virtually an unchanged side for tonight’s visit of Edinburgh to the Galway Sportsground (7.35pm).

Rising star Teddy Thomas has been dropped for tomorrow’s Test against Argentina by France manager Philippe Saint-Andre for missing a training session by arriving two hours late.

Stuart Lancaster has no qualms about picking Anthony Watson on the right wing for tomorrow’s QBE International against South Africa and believes he is ready for his first Test start.

The return of Ireland international Robbie Henshaw is one of three changes to Connacht’s starting XV for this evening’s Guinness Pro 12 fixture with Edinburgh at Murrayfield (7.35pm).

Ian Keatley will start at out-half for Munster in their Guinness PRO12 opener at home to Edinburgh tonight (KO: 7.35pm) nursing the same injury he had to manage throughout the last campaign.

Edinburgh have issued a worrying decree — Munster will have to fight for a productive result in Scotland tonight.

Italy 20 Scotland 21

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson admits not even a victory over Italy this afternoon will cure the Dark Blues’ problems.

Scotland 0 England 20

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson has made four changes to his side for Sunday’s opening RBS 6 Nations match with Ireland.

Gloucester 23 Edinburgh 12

Connacht take on Edinburgh this evening desperate to break a losing run of seven RaboDirect Pro 12 fixtures.

Munster 34 Edinburgh 23

The fact that Edinburgh will be missing their main play-maker and most lethal finisher tonight will delight Munster as they prepare for the opening round of the RaboDirect Pro 12 at Musgrave Park (7.15pm).

SCOTLAND head coach Andy Robinson has named a 36-man squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations, featuring six uncapped players.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has named a 36-man squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations, featuring six uncapped players.

MARTIN JOHNSON has demanded England treat tomorrow’s showdown with Scotland as a winner-takes-all battle for Rugby World Cup survival.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has made six changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s must-win World Cup Pool B clash with England.

Scotland have made 14 changes for Saturday’s final World Cup warm-up match against Italy – with Graeme Morrison the sole survivor in the starting XV from the win over Ireland.

A TRY in the 77th minute by Scotland centre Joe Ansbro lit up the leaden Edinburgh sky to give his side a World Cup boost at Murrayfield on Saturday.

GRAEME MORRISON will return to the Scotland team for Saturday’s EMC Test with Ireland, with Rugby World Cup heartache the driving force for him to perform and secure a place in the squad for this year’s tournament in New Zealand.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has named four uncapped players in his squad for the autumn Test series.

DOUG HOWLETT is just one of a number of senior players set tointensify Munster’s pre-season effort when they take on Gloucester at Musgrave Park tonight (7pm).

Scotland today named an unchanged team for Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations match in Ireland.

ANDY ROBINSON yesterday told his Scotland team they had no excuses for not delivering a “winning performance” against Italy today.

SCOTLAND team doctor James Robson has confirmed Thom Evans, Chris Paterson and Rory Lamont will miss the rest of the Six Nations after all suffered serious injuries in Saturday’s dramatic defeat by Wales in Cardiff.

Andy Robinson today made six changes to his Scotland team for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against France.

Glasgow Warriors 33 Gloucester 11

GLOUCESTER boss Bryan Redpath has put his team on red alert tonight for their Heineken Cup clash against a Newport Gwent Dragons side he believes will show “no fear”.

Jim Hamilton was today recalled to the Scotland side for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Frank Hadden today recalled Thom and Max Evans to the Scotland team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

Frank Hadden today insisted Phil Godman could handle the pressure of kicking goals for Scotland after gambling on leaving Chris Paterson out of the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales.

CARDIFF BLUES will complete a triumphant march into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals tonight, but head coach David Young insists: “There is still work to be done.”

Scotland have been forced into four changes for Saturday’s third and final autumn Test against Canada at Pittodrie.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has dropped stand-off Dan Parks as one of four changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against Argentina.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has named three new caps in the side to face Argentina on Saturday while Chris Paterson will equal Scott Murray’s record cap total.

Hooker Fergus Thomson will make his first start for Scotland in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations wooden-spoon decider against Italy in Rome.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has confirmed back-row forward Jason White as captain for the forthcoming 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championships.

Scotland's 38-man World Cup training squad, announced this morning by head coach Frank Hadden, is:

EDINBURGH are boosted by the return of veteran Scott Murray and Munster by Paul O’Connell for the Magners League game at Murrayfield tonight.

OSPREYS boss Lyn Jones has predicted “an encounter to remember” when his star-studded Welsh challengers tackle English champions Sale Sharks in a mouth-watering Heineken Cup clash this evening.

SHANE HORGAN accepts the chances of Leinster stealing the Celtic League title tonight are slim but, whatever the outcome, the winger is determined that he will leave for New Zealand next month with no regrets.

SCOTLAND head coach Frank Hadden believes the current uncertainty over the three professional teams in Scotland can act as an incentive for players.