Richie Gray, dropped for the last three Scotland games, will return to the starting line-up for the crunch RBS 6 Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
The 24-year-old lock, who toured with the British Lions last summer, has had only a sole bench appearance in the last three Scotland matches but with the recurring difficulties in the lineout, he’s answered an emergency call for the Stadio Olimpico.
Gray is one of three changes in the pack and will be the target for a different hooker with Scott Lawson, who won his 40th cap as a replacement against England two weeks ago, replacing Ross Ford as was largely expected.
Scoptland have lost tehn lineouts on their own throw in the first two games of the championship, a horrendous return from basic setpiece possession that badly needed some attention from head coach Scott Johnson and his assistants.
The only surprise in the team is that David Denton, one of the better performers in the 20-0 drubbing against the English, has been dropped to the bench with Johnnie Beattie starting at No 8.
Gray last started for Scotland against South Africa in November, the only game he has started for his country since returning from the Lions Tour to Australia.
He was omitted entirely from the squads for the matches against Australia and England, while coming off the bench in Dublin in the first match of the championship.
Tim Swinson makes way for Gray and drops to the bench, where he replaces the lock’s teenage brother Jonny. Ford and Denton will also both be on the bench.
The back division in a team that so far has scored just two penalties in two matches is unchanged.
Team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow; Tommy Seymour (Glasgow), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Sean Lamont (Glasgow); Duncan Weir (Glasgow), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh, capt); Ryan Grant (Glasgow), Scott Lawson (Newcastle), Moray Low (Glasgow); Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier); Ryan Wilson (Glasgow), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier).
Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Glasgow), David Denton (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Max Evans (Castres).