Scotland have been unable to finalise a back division for Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations match with all three of the wings who played in the French game out or in doubt.
Scott Johnson has picked a squad of 14 backs for the match at the Millennium Stadium while they wait on a nagging injuries to Max Evans and Tommy Seymour. Sean Lamont, a starter in all five games in this 6 Nations, has already been ruled out with a knee ligament problem.
The Scots have drafted in Lee Jones, Jack Cuthbert, the uncapped Dougie Fife and Richie Vernon, the former Dundee HSFP player who won 20 caps in the back row but has converted to be a centre/wing for the Glasgow Warriors this season.
The 26-year-old scored two tries for Glasgow against Leinster in the PRO12 two weeks ago but has played only four games – two as a starter – since the switch in position was made earlier this season.
Jones played in the 6 Nations for Scotland two years ago but has been out of favbour at Edinburgh and loaned out to Glasgow after playing with Scotland 7s. Cuthbert and Fife have been regulars for Edinburgh for most of the season, with Fife one of the leading try-scorers in the PRO12.
Ruaridh Jackson has been included in the squad, but Duncan Weir is set to be retained at fly-half in a vote of confidence for the 22-year-old.
A hip injury to to Ryan Grant has allowed Scotland to make only the one, enforced change in the pack, Ryan Wilson returning in place of ankle injury victim Johnnie Beattie. Alasdair Strokosch, not involved so far in the championship, is brought on to the bench.
Scotland backs from: Chris Cusiter, Jack Cuthbert, Alex Dunbar, Max Evans, Dougie Fife, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir.
Forwards: Ryan Grant, Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross; Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton; Ryan Wilson, Kelly Brown, David Denton.
Replacements: Ross Ford, Alasdair Dickinson, Euan Murray, Tim Swinson, Alasdair Strokosch plus two backs.