Introduced to the starting team are Chris Paterson, who will be winning his 99th cap at full-back; the Glasgow centre pairing Max Evans and Graeme Morrison; Gloucester loose-head prop Alasdair Dickinson; and the Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay.

Of those players omitted Rory Lamont and Alasdair Strokosch were discounted through injury, while Alex Grove, Allan Jacobsen and Alan MacDonald remain in the 22. Only Ben Cairns has missed out entirely.

The uncapped 20-year-old Glasgow lock, Richie Gray, wins a place on the bench after a string of committed displays during the last two months.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: "There has been improved competition for places since the Autumn Tests and selection has been based both on achievements within the autumn matches and on current form.

"France have a fantastic squad. The fact they defeated New Zealand in Dunedin last June illustrates that they can win and win well away from home.

"We are excited about the start of the Championship but we know that we have not won our first game in the competition since 2006, so all our focus is on making a winning start against France on Sunday."



Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Sunday 7 February (kick-off 3pm)



15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh) 98 caps, 741 points through 22 tries, 150 penalties, 86 conversions, 3 drop goals

14 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 5 points through 1 try
13 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps, 5 points through 1 try
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps, 15 points through 3 tries
11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 40 caps, 35 points through 7 tries

10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh) 20 caps, 71 points through 1 try, 12 conversions, 14 penalties
9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 47 caps, 15 points through 3 tries

1 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester) 13 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 33 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps
4 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 61 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 20 caps
6 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 30 caps, 15 points through 3 tries
8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps, 5 points through 1 try

Replacements
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 16 caps, 10 points through 2 tries
17 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 40 caps
18 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
19 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh) 1 cap
20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 17 caps
21 Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors) 3 caps
22 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) 48 caps, 40 points through 8 tries


Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Touch-judges: Chris White (England) and Tim Hayes (Wales). Television match official: Geoff Hughes (England)

RBS 6 NATIONS - SCOTLAND V FRANCE
About 6,000 tickets remain to see Scotland take on France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Sunday 7 February at Murrayfield, kick-off 3pm. However, tickets are selling fast.

Tickets can be purchased in person from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Tickets may also be bought via the 24-hour hotline on 0844 335 3933 or online at www.scottishrugby.org

There are no ticket sales on match day.

 For further information please contact

Graham Law
Scotland team media manager
Tel: +44 (0)131 346 5164
Mob: +44 (0) 7764 178940
Fax: +44 (0)131 346 5192
email: graham.law@sru.org.uk