Glasgow’s Australian-born centre Sam Johnson will make his Scotland debut in a recast team for this Saturday’s Guinness 6 Nations opener against Italy at BT Murrayfield.
Johnson replaces the injured Peter Horne at inside centre, one of six players who have remained with the squad but are unable to be considered for the opening game.
Horne has a knee problem and brother George a shoulder injury, as do Jonny Gray and young Glasgow hooker Grant Stewart, who may have been a contender for a spot on the bench. Wing Sean Maitland has a hamstring problem.
Blair Kinghorn will play on the left wing in Maitland’s place, while head coach Gregor Townsend picks the entire Edinburgh front five in the pack.
Sam Skinner will play at blindside flanker with Jamie Ritchie taking the 7 jersey usually occupied by Hamish Watson, who is out after hand surgery.
A second new cap is likely off the bench with Gary Graham, son of the former Scotland prop and forwards coach George, listed as back row cover.
Graham was a member of the England 6 Nations squad a year ago, but was not involved in any matchday squads and eventually declared for Scotland last November.
Scotland team: S Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); T Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), H Jones (Glasgow Warriors), S Johnson (Glasgow Warriors), B Kinghorn (Edinburgh); F Russell (Racing 92), G Laidlaw (Clermont-Auvergne, capt); A Dell (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), WP Nel (Edinburgh); B Toolis (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh); S Skinner (Exeter), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), R Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements: J Kerr (Leicester), J Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), S Berghan (Edinburgh), G Graham (Newcastle), J Strauss (Sale), A Price (Glasgow Warriors), A Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), C Harris (Newcastle).
