Three debutants as Scots change
Scotland coach Vern Cotter named three debutants for their Six Nations opener against France at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.
The starting team features just two changes to that which defeated Tonga 37-12 in the final year-end Test.
The three championship debutants are Finn Russell (flyhalf), Mark Bennett (centre) and Blair Cowan (back row).
Bennett - who started the first two games in November - returns from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the third, while fellow Warrior, tighthead prop Euan Murray, steps in for Geoff Cross who starts on the bench.
A blend of experience and youth will once again orchestrate the back division as captain Greig Laidlaw - who stands one point away from scoring 300 for his country - and flyhalf Russell, start their fifth Test match together.
Centre Alex Dunbar will partner Warriors teammate Bennett in midfield, in front of a potent back division of fullback Stuart Hogg, along with wings Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour, who scored a try in each of the year-end Tests.
A similarly-settled pack will also run out at the Stade de France, with Alasdair Dickinson and Ross Ford packing down with Murray in an experienced front row that boasts 181 international caps.
Second row brothers Richie and Jonny Gray will again form the boiler house in their fourth consecutive start for their country together, with Rob Harley, Johnnie Beattie and Cowan - man of the match against Tonga - in the back row.
"The players really enjoy the atmosphere of these big occasions, and the pressure of having to perform for their country, in front of huge crowds.
"They're looking forward to getting out there."
He added: "France will be tough. They played well in the autumn series but remain frustrated with past results in the Six Nations.
"They will be very difficult to contain so we'll have to stay tight as a unit, work hard for each other and try to apply some pressure.
"It'll be a very tough start to the championship, but we're looking forward to that challenge."
Scotland's remaining changes appear on the bench, with 57-times capped lock Jim Hamilton coming in for Kieran Low, while the back replacements are all changed to feature uncapped Edinburgh scrumhalf Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Dougie Fife and Peter Horne.
Hidalgo-Clyne and Horne are among a further four potential tournament debutants, with hooker Fraser Brown and loosehead prop Gordon Reid also in-line to make their first outing in the world's greatest championship.
Backs Sean Lamont, Henry Pyrgos and Matt Scott were not considered for the match having been unable to recover from calf, knee and shoulder injuries sustained in training.
Not considered through injury: Adam Ashe (neck), Chris Cusiter (knee), Chris Fusaro (ankle), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Tyrone Holmes (face), Ruaridh Jackson (knee), Sean Lamont (calf), Henry Pyrgos (knee), Matt Scott (shoulder), Tim Swinson (calf), Duncan Taylor (hamstring), Duncan Weir (arm).
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Dougie Fife.
Date: Saturday, February 7
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 18.00 (17.00 GMT; 17.00 UK time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia
@Scotlandteam