Scotland

15. Rowen Shephard

Club: Melrose. Position: Full back. Age: 27. Caps: 15. Accomplished place-kicker, strong and elusive runner. Can be unsure defensively, not under the high ball, but when finding himself as the last tackler.

14. Craig Joiner

Club: Leicester. Position: Right wing. Age: 23. Caps: 19. Versatile performer who has played in the centre for Leicester this season. Switches to the right wing for this game. Not the quickest wing around but talented finisher nonetheless.

13. Alan Tait

Club: Newcastle. Position: Centre. Age: 33. Caps: 12. Prodigal son that has slotted back in since his return from rugby league. Played for Lions during the Summer. Great tackler and strong runner.

12. Gregor Townsend

Club: Northampton. Position: Centre. Age: 24. Caps: 28. A mercurial talent who flits between out-half and centre. Beautifully balanced runner whose first option is to use rather than kick the ball. Great hands.

11. Kenny Logan

Club: Wasps. Position: Left wing. Age: 25. Caps: 31. Brought back at the expense of Tony Stanger. Elusive runner with a good football brain but will need to be on his mettle against Ireland's most potent finisher, Denis Hickie.

10. Craig Chalmers

Club: Melrose. Position: Out-half. Age: 29. Caps: 55. Known for his ability with the boot more than any other quality. Good tactical appreciation. Presence in pivotal position means Scots will keep the game reasonably tight.

9. Gary Armstrong

Club: Newcastle. Position: Scrum-half. Age: 31. Caps: 36. Despite injury ravaged career, has made a big impact on international rugby. Terror like qualities, agile and with a great eye for a gap. Huge threat.

1. George Graham

Club: Newcastle. Position: Prop. Age: 32. Caps: 2. Understudy to Nick Popplewell at Newcastle, Graham has enjoyed several excellent performances for his club. International rugby has come late in life. Faces a tough afternoon against Paul Wallace.

2. Gordon Bulloch

Club: West of Scotland. Position: Hooker. Age: 22. Caps: 2. Tenacious competitor who enjoys nothing better than getting his hands on the ball. Very mobile but it will be interesting to note how he copes with his primary duties in scrum and line-out.

3. Mattie Stewart

Club: Northampton. Position: Prop. Age: 24. Caps: 8. A late starter in rugby terms (19), he has quickly risen to prominence with the country of his grandfather. At one stage understudied Gavin Walsh at Northampton. Shouldn't cause Reggie Corrigan any undue concern.

4. George Doddie Weir

Club: Newcastle. Position: Second row. Age: 27. Caps: 46. Talented athlete who can also play at number eight. Very assured line-out jumper and also contributes handsomely in the loose. Has a tendency to be a little lax in primary duties, on occasion preferring the open spaces

5. Damian Cronin

Club: Wasps. Position: Second row. Age: 34. Caps: 41. Streetwise and formidable, his return from the international wilderness underlines the Scots need for an experienced hard edge to their pack.

6. Rob Wainwright

Club: Dundee High School FP. Position: Flanker. Age: 32. Caps: 30. Has lost the captaincy to Gary Armstrong. Good decision-maker, despite criticism in this respect against Italy. Strong, athletic and mobile, an inspirational figure.

7. Simon Holmes

Club: London Scottish. Position: Flanker. Age: 31. Caps: 1. Made his debut in the defeat by Italy. Several inches short of six feet, he is known for his combativeness and speed in securing loose ball. Should be a tight contest with Kieron Dawson.

8. Peter Walton

Club: Newcastle. Position: Number eight. Age: 28. Caps: 11. Traditionally a blindside flanker, the Scots have decided to employ him at number eight. A powerful physique to the back row will lend much needed bulk. Not particularly quick, he displays a fine work ethic in the tight exchanges. Can be exposed defensively.