Kicking ability earns Ross the nod over veteran Townsend

SCOTLAND coach Ian McGeechan admitted the kicking ability of Gordon Ross gave him the nod over Gregor Townsend for Sunday’s opening Six Nations’ clash with Ireland at Murrayfield.

McGeechan chose the Leeds Tykes' number 10 ahead of veteran Townsend, but admitted Edinburgh's Brendan Laney had also come in for consideration.

McGeechan said: "It was Gordon's kicking game which gave him the edge over Gregor. It's up to Gordon now how he handles it, but we want to give him a run because he has been consistent at Leeds and we want to be fair to our player.