Sam Johnson returns to the Scotland team while Duhan van der Merwe and Stuart McInally get recalls to start as Scotland begin their Autumn Nations Cup campaign against Italy in Florence.
The Glasgow inside centre had been a mainstay of the Scotland team since his debut in 2018 but had missed the last two tests against Goergia and Wales as he worked back to full fitness after a summer injury.
He replaces James Lang at 12 in one of three changes to the the starting team that defeated the Welsh in Llanelli.
As expected, Duncan Weir replaces the two 10s absent injured, Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, for his first start in four years.
McInally, the former captain, returns at hooker after scoring Scotland’s try off the bench in the game two weeks ago. Fraser Brown, who started the first two games, stands down altogether when George Turner coming on to the bench.
The third change is prolific Edinburgh wing Duhan van der Merwe for Blair Kinghorn, who also drops to the bench.
Exeter pair Sam Skinner and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne come on to the bench for their first Scotland action of the autumn.
The Scots are going for their fifth test win in succession, having last made that mark in 2011.
Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (capt); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sam Johnson, Duhan van der Merwe; Duncan Weir, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Stuart McInally, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Blade Thomson.
Replacements: George Turner, Oli Kebble, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Nick Haining, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, James Lang, Blair Kinghorn.