Hadden has made two changes from the starting team that lost to Ireland in Dublin ten days ago. Simon Taylor and Graeme Morrison both return for Kelly Brown and Andrew Henderson respectively.

Hadden said: “Simon Taylor has played well in the three games for his club since recovering from a hand injury and he is now ready to return to the national side. Graeme Morrison is being rewarded for his outstanding performances for the Scotland A team, away in Italy and then against Ireland A at Perth.”

On the bench, Hadden has called up four players who were not on duty in Dublin – Jason White, who has recovered from the head knock that ruled him out of that contest, props Alasdair Dickinson and Craig Smith and scrum-half Rory Lawson.

Hadden explained: “The five/two split is a reflection of what we expect to be a huge battle up front this weekend.  Alasdair Dickinson owes his call-up to his form for the A team and it’s good to see Craig Smith back in full fitness.”

Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play England in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 8 March, kick-off 3.15pm
15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)
14 Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks)
13 Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
10 Chris Paterson (Gloucester)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
5 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)

Substitutes
16 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)
18 Craig Smith (Edinburgh)
19 Jason White (Sale Sharks)
20 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
21 Rory Lawson (Gloucester)
22 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)