Glasgow duo Rob Harley and Mark Bennett have won recalls for Scotland’s final Autumn Test of 2016 against Georgia at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.
Team GB sevens silver medalist Bennett replaces the injured Huw Jones at centre but Harley’s selection at blind side is a surprise with John Barclay, arguably Scotland’s player of the series so far, dropping to the bench and Magnus Bradbury, at 6 against Argentina last week, omitted altogether.
The combative and abrasive Harley is clearly aimed at solving Scotland’s breakdown problems last week when they were short on numbers against the Pumas and struggled to retain attacking ball for the first hour.
The Scots also recall Ross Ford and Ryan Wilson, both left on the bench last week, and also Richie Gray, who has recovered from a suspected concussion which caused him to miss the win over the Pumas.
Scotland rank seventh in the world after the 19-16 victory over Argentina, while Georgia moved up to an all-time high of 12th after they beat Samoa in Tbilisi.
It’s Scotland’s second match on Rugby Park’s 3G pitch, having beaten Tonga there 37-12 in November 2014.
Scotland team: S Hogg (Glasgow); S Maitland (Saracens), M Bennett (Glasgow), A Dunbar (Glasgow), T Seymour (Glasgow); F Russell (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Gloucester, capt); A Dell (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), Z Fagerson (Glasgow); J Gray (Glasgow), R Gray (Toulouse); R Harley (Glasgow), H Watson (Edinburgh), R Wilson (Glasgow).
Replacements: F Brown (Glasgow), A Allan (Glasgow), M Low (Exeter), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), J Barclay (Scarlets), A Price (Glasgow), P Horne (Glasgow), R Hughes (Glasgow).