Scotland will be aiming to start with consecutive wins for the first time in the Six Nations era against Wales at Murrayfield.
Gregor Townsend’s men can open the competition with back-to-back victories for the first time since 1996, with hopes soaring after last weekend’s win over England.
Fit-again Zander Fagerson comes in for WP Nel at tight-head prop in the only change to Scotland’s starting XV following last Saturday’s 29-23 victory.
“We actually delayed the internal team announcement because we had a few selections that we had to sleep on,” said Townsend. “I believe they’ve earned the right to get a second opportunity to build on that win, but the performance [last week] wasn’t at our best level.
“We’ve got players on the bench and outside the 23 who are quality players that have played very well for us in the past or are itching for that opportunity, so it wasn’t an easy decision.”
Warren Gatland has reacted to Wales’s 34-10 humbling by Ireland in Cardiff by omitting Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric. Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza and Tommy Refell all start, with the head coach ushering in a clutch of developing talents.
“We need to think about what’s important in this tournament,” said Gatland.
“We lost that first game, so we can’t win the Grand Slam or the Triple Crown, but we still want to do well in this tournament. But we also need to think long term as well.”
