Two changes up front for Scottish ahead of Ireland’s visit

Vern Cotter has added extra beef to the pack, in anticipation of a dog-fight this Saturday.

The New Zealander has made two changes to his side, both coming in the forwards. At loose-head prop, Alasdair Dickinson drops to the bench despite holding his own in the scrum against the powerful Dan Cole last Saturday, with British and Irish Lion Ryan Grant drafted back into the starting 15. In the back row, Adam Ashe gets the not at blindside, with Rob Harley starting from the bench. It's also a landmark appearance for tight-head Euan Murray, who will become the most capped Scottish prop, overtaking Alan Jacobson with his 66th appearance for his country. The only other change is among the match-day substitutes; Tim Visser replaces Johnnie Beattie, reverting the selection to a five-three split among the forward and back replacements. Scotland: S Hogg, D Fife, M Bennett, M Scott, T Seymour, F Russell, G Laidlaw; R Grant, R Ford, E Murray, J Gray, J Hamilton, A Ashe, B Cowan, D Denton