Williams names three new caps

SCOTLAND COACH Matt Williams has admitted that in an ideal world he would not throw three uncapped players into the firing line against Wales – but insists he has no option.

He made a bold first team selection by naming 20-year-old Tom Philip and 21-year-olds Chris Cusiter and Allister Hogg for the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener on Saturday.

Williams said: "We have lost five backs and two openside flankers since the last Six Nations.

"We have lost captains in Budge Pountney and Bryan (Redpath) the country has had a major loss of personnel."

Captain Chris Paterson and vice-captain Gordon Bulloch will help the players through against the Welsh, who comfortably beat them prior to the World Cup.

"Sometimes we can be too cautious," added Williams. "It will be a great experience for them.

"I don't think I am throwing these guys in at the deep end. They know what it's like to play against Wales."

Scotland (v Wales): B. Hinshelwood (Worcester); S. Danielli (Bath), T. Philip (Edinburgh), B. Laney (Edinburgh), A. Henderson (Glasgow); C. Paterson (Edinburgh, captain), C. Cusiter (Borders); T. Smith (Northampton), G. Bulloch (Glasgow, vice-captain), B. Douglas (Borders), S. Murray (Edinburgh), S. Grimes (Newcastle), C. Mather (Glasgow), S. Taylor (Edinburgh), A. Hogg (Edinburgh).

Replacements: R. Russell (Saracens), G. Kerr (Leeds), J. White (Sale), S. Cross (Edinburgh), M. Blair (Edinburgh), D. Parks (Glasgow), S. Webster (Edinburgh).