SCOTLAND forwards coach George Graham insists Glasgow Warriors captain Alastair Kellock has not been set-up to carry the can for defeat against England - despite the second-row forward being axed for Saturday's clash with Wales.

Having led the lineout against England, the 25-year-old has been dropped from the squad for this weekend's RBS 6 Nations tussle.

Scott Murray, 31, is promoted to the starting XV in his place, with Nathan Hines returning from injury to take the spot on the bench which might otherwise have gone to Kellock. James Hamilton has retained his place in the other second-row berth.

However, Graham has denied it was Kellock's performance in the lineout which led to his omission.

And the former Scotland prop vowed to have the national team's lineout problems rectified in time for kick-off against Wales.

"Offensively we won 11 out of 12, so we're really happy with that - but in defence we have a lot to improve," said Graham.

"And we have spent a considerable amount of time working on the lineout, and we will continue to work on it until we get it right.

"We had done a lot of homework on what we expected them to do last week, but as it turned out some of England's lineouts were a bit different to what we were expecting, and we needed to react to that.

"I'm quite aggressive in my view that we should try to take as much of their ball as we can and it just didn't happen. I've spoken to all the players involved to let them know what I think.

"Alastair is certainly not paying the price for the whole team. If he gets himself in position and the lifters don't react then it is not his fault. I know people will construe this selection as him being blamed, but I have spoken to Alistair and explained that I am not blaming it all on him."

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins, meanwhile, believes Scotland's team selection shows how they intend to play.

Fly-half Dan Parks and inside centre Andrew Hendersen have been replaced with youngsters Phil Godman and Rob Dewey.

Jenkins said: "Their selection is a statement about the way they want to play. They have a very effective kicking game - but that has changed.

"Young Godman spins the ball and that is a selection intended to change their side a bit.

"We have respect for Scotland. They are a different team at home than they were away."

"I am sure they will have done a lot of tightening up their work at the fringes and certainly when they play at home they play above themselves. They beat England and France last year so we know we are not going there to play a game of touch rugby." THE Welsh RFU have returned 400 tickets for Saturday's match and they can be bought now on a first-come first-served basis.

Priced £45 and £60 for adults and £22.50 and £30 for U-18s, they are available on www.scottishrugby.org, credit card hotline 0131-346 5100 and at the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, off Roseburn Street, Edinburgh.

Fans limited to four tickets each.

Briefs also remain on sale for Scotland's Championship match against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday, February 24, with a 3pm kick-off. Prices £20, £30 and £40 for adults and £10, £15 and £20 for under-18s and students.