Rugby:Glasgow outhalf Duncan Weir will make his first start for Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations Championship match against Wales at Murrayfield.
Weir, whose three previous caps have been won from the bench, replaces his club-mate Ruaridh Jackson in the pivotal position, while Euan Murray returns to the side after missing last month’s 12-8 win over Ireland on religious grounds.
Weir said: “It’s a moment I’ll cherish and hopefully I can do the coaches justice for giving me the start.”
Former British and Irish Lion and devout Christian Murray sat out the triumph over Declan Kidney’s men for religious reasons. However, Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson has restored him to his starting line-up at the tighthead berth with Geoff Cross moving to the bench.
Meanwhile, Ryan Wilson, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors number eight who was man of the match in Scotland A’s victory over England Saxons last month, is also introduced to a match-day 23 for the first time.
Wilson is named instead of David Denton who sustained a knee injury when playing for Edinburgh against Scarlets at the weekend.
Johnson said: “Selection is tough just now but that’s a good thing as we increase competition for places. Duncan did well when he came on against Ireland and he got some decent game time for Glasgow at the weekend. He’s a talent with a really good work ethic and a thirst to improve, which I like a lot.
“Ruaridh remains a key part of our squad but he knows with Tom Heathcote proving a match-winner for Bath and kicking goals from here, there and everywhere, that he needs to up his game too. Geoff Cross was a standout against Ireland and it’s up to Euan, who fronted up big time against Italy, to raise the bar again.
“Wales will be going for their fifth successive away victory in the championship and that would be a record for them but our focus is on ensuring we win the contact zone, continue to improve and make it three wins on the bounce.”
Gethin Jenkins will miss the clash at Murrayfield after the Toulon prop suffered a calf muscle injury during the 26-9 victory over Italy in Rome 10 days ago. He is replaced by Bath forward Paul James.
Two other changes from that game see flanker Sam Warburton — last season’s Grand Slam captain — return to the starting line-up instead of Justin Tipuric, while lock Alun-Wyn Jones replaces Andrew Coombs. But even though Warburton has been recalled — he suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the championship — his back-row colleague Ryan Jones remains as skipper.
Jones, who has captained Wales a record 31 times, took over from Warburton when Wales beat France in Paris, and he unsurprisingly keeps the job this weekend.
Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley retains the same back division for a fourth successive game, but three changes on the bench from Rome see Cardiff Blues prop Scott Andrews come in for James, with Coombs and Tipuric swapping places with Jones and Warburton respectively.
Wales remain in contention to successfully defend the Six Nations title, although unbeaten England remain tournament favourites.
Scotland:S Hogg (Glasgow); S Maitland (Glasgow), S Lamont (Glasgow), M Scott (Edinburgh), T Visser (Edinburgh); D Weir (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Edinburgh); R Grant (Glasgow), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Worcester), R Gray (Sale), J Hamilton (Gloucester), R Harley (Glasgow), K Brown (Saracens), J Beattie (Montpellier). Replacements:D Hall (Glasgow), M Low (Glasgow), G Cross (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow), R Wilson (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), R Jackson (Glasgow), M Evans (Castres).
Wales:L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets); D Biggar (Ospreys), M Phillips (Bayonne); P James (Bath), R Hibbard (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys, capt), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements:K Owens (Scarlets), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), C Mitchell (Exeter), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).
