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{ Scotland rugby coach Andy Robinson was today urged to grab the chance of injecting fresh blood into an ailing national team as he prepares to unveil a line-up tomorrow to face Ireland at Murrayfield in Sunday's RBS Six Nations Championship clash.
Having lost both matches so far, Robinson now finds himself unable to call upon regulars Joe Ansbro and Hugo Southwell, as well as Rory Lamont, who is also injured.

But, while wishing no player any harm, former Scotland captain Gary Armstrong beli

eves it is time for a clear-out anyway and questions whether current incumbents have forgotten what it means to pull on the dark blue jersey.

"Did the team that gave such an inept performance against Wales last time really want to play for the jersey? Or were they more interested in picking up a pay-packet because there were times when it looked that way," said Armstrong, who retired from internationals following the 1999 World Cup.

Adds the former colleague of coach Robinson on the 1989 Lions tour of Australia: "This Six Nations title has gone now for Scotland so why not look ahead to the World Cup later this year and start the planning?

"I've been impressed by what Robinson has done for Scotland so far but he has to make a stance and not just try to punch holes in the glass box he sits in at the back of the stand. He looked rattled by the way the team fell apart against Wales and I hope the team have been shaken by the outcry over the past week and a half because the performance was terrible."

That was a reference to how television cameras caught Robinson venting his displeasure during the 6-24 defeat as he pounded on the glass panes of a box he shares with fellow coaches and team analysts.

In particular, Armstrong has called for a new set of half-backs, saying: "Greig Laidlaw did nothing wrong when introduced as a substitute for the second half against New Zealand but hasn't had an opportunity since to show what he can do. At Edinburgh he has been making Mike Blair work for a scrum-half place and even starting ahead of him.

"I think the time has come for Greig to take over with Scotland," he said of a position he occupied with distinction.

If Laidlaw does come in, it will mean leapfrogging both Blair and Rory Lawson, who has started on both occasions so far. Added Armstrong: "As for stand off I couldn't understand picking Dan Parks against Wales when he plays his club rugby there with Cardiff and all the Welsh boys knew exactly what he could and couldn't do.

"Now is the time to start Ruaridh Jackson and find out if he can handle the occasion.

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Labels: Armstrong, changes, demands, Nations, Scotland, Scotsman

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RBS Six Nations: England v France
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 26 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and BBC Sport website; post-match forum 1900-1930; listen on BBC Radio 5 live & online; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Chabal could lock horns with Lewis Moody at TwickenhamFrance have rung the changes for Saturday's crunch Six Nations encounter with England at Twickenham.

Sebastien Chabal, Vincent Clerc, Dimitri Yachvili and Yannick Jauzion are recalled while Maxime Medard switches from wing to full-back.

Medard replaces Clement Poitrenaud, who drops to the bench with Damien Traille.

Morgan Parra and Julien Bonnaire are also omitted for the eagerly awaited meeting between the two remaining teams with 100% records in the competition.

Meanwhile France defensive coach Dave Ellis has revealed that plans have been devised to stop wing Chris Ashton, who scored four tries as England thrashed Italy 59-13 last time out.

Ashton, who began his rugby career in league with Wigan Warriors before switching codes to join Northampton in 2007, also scored twice in the opening Six Nations match against Wales but Ellis told the Daily Telegraph: "Ashton can be stopped.

"We used to stop [former England winger] Jason Robinson from scoring. You've just got to make sure that he doesn't get the ball when he wants it.

"It's not just about closing one man down. If you concentrate on doing that, then it only takes away your focus from elsewhere.

Former London Irish defensive coach Ellis, who now also advises Gloucester on defensive policies, added: "First and foremost, you've got to stop giving England decent ball.

"Italy gave them far too much. They just let them play. They were allowed to play at their own tempo. We won't let them do that."

France: Maxime Medard; Yoann Huget, Aurelien Rougerie, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Julien Pierre, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Clement Poitrenaud, Guilhem Guirado, Sylvain Marconnet, Jerome Thion, Morgan Parra, Julien Bonnaire, Damien Traille.

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Labels: changes, England, France