Full-back Stuart Hogg returns to the starting Scotland line-up for this Saturday’s autumn Test against Fiji in front of a capacity crowd at BT Murrayfield Stadium (kick-off 2.30pm).
Six Nations star Hogg, Player of the Championship in 2016 and 2017, has been absent from competitive action since an ankle injury sustained in September and returns as one of nine changes to the Scotland starting XV who lost out to Wales last weekend.
Exeter Chiefs lock Sam Skinner is set to make his debut, while half-backs Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne) and Finn Russell (Racing 92), and wing Sean Maitland (Saracens), are also set to start.
It will be Laidlaw’s first Scotland outing since kicking the match-winning penalty against Italy in the Six Nations earlier this year, securing a third-placed Championship finish for the visitors in Rome.
It will also be the first time the scrum-half – who has captained the national team more than any other player – will lead the side under head coach Gregor Townsend.
Glasgow Warriors duo Alex Dunbar and Tommy Seymour start once more in the backs, while Pete Horne is promoted from last week’s bench in Cardiff to partner fellow Warrior Dunbar in midfield.
Hooker Fraser Brown, lock Grant Gilchrist and No.8 Matt Fagerson are promoted from last week’s bench, while props Allan Dell and Willem Nel, and back-row forwards Ryan Wilson and Jamie Ritchie, are all retained.
Newcastle Falcons centre Chris Harris and Sale Sharks back row Josh Strauss are named among the replacements.
On naming his side Scotland head coach Townsend commented: “It’s a more experienced side this week in terms of time together at this level, while we’ve rewarded some of those who performed well off the bench with the chance to start.
“We’ve had a good week in training with a slightly different focus for the challenges we expect Fiji to present this Saturday.
“In particular, they pose huge threats off turnover ball, utilising some of the best individual players, one-on-one, in the world.
“They score more tries than any team in the world off turnover ball, about 66%, whereas most teams are under about 10 or 15%, so if you repeatedly give them turnover ball it’ll be a tough afternoon.
“That presents us with an opportunity to consider different approaches tactically and use different strategies to apply pressure in front of our home support.”
Scotland team to face Fiji at BT Murrayfield on Saturday
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), 14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), 13. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), 12. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), 11. Sean Maitland (Saracens), 10. Finn Russell (Racing 92), 9. Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne, captain), 1. Allan Dell (Edinburgh), 2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), 3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh), 4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), 5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), 6. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), 7. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), 8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), 17. Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors), 18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), 19. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), 20. Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks), 21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), 22. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), 23. Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons)
