WATCH as the Herald and Times sports team react to Scotland's team announcement ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Chief Rugby Writer Stuart Bathgate delivers his assessment to Online Sports Editor Alasdair Mackenzie in the first of our Six Nations video specials after head coach Vern Cotter revealed his starting fifteen on Thursday.

Fraser Brown was given the surprise nod at hooker ahead of Ross Ford, John Barclay has to make do with a place on the bench and Huw Jones starts despite a lack of competitive action in recent months. 

We will return next week with reaction to the opening weekend of action as well as casting an eye towards the trip to Paris in round two.