Mercurial Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has been named at flyhalf for his side’s clash with Italy in Edinburgh.
READ: Stander shifts to flank for Ireland swansong
Hogg, who has played 82 consecutive Tests at fullback, moved to flyhalf in the closing moments of last week’s game against Ireland after Finn Russell was injured. Now he is entrusted with the starting 10 jersey.
Elsewhere in the backs, Huw Jones, who scored a stunning try against Ireland off the bench, has been promoted to the starting lineup. He’ll form a centre partnership with Sam Johnson while Chris Harris drops to the bench.
Duhan van der Merwe was at his destructive best last week and continues in the 11 shirt. Edinburgh’s elusive Darcy Graham mans the other wing, with Sean Maitland moving to fullback.
There’s also a first Test start for Quins scrumhalf Scott Steele, who was bizarrely forced into packing down on the side of the scrum last weekend. He replaces Ali Price in the No 9 jersey.
In the pack, there’s an all-new second row with Sam Skinner and Grant Gilchrist replacing the injured Jonny Gray and Scott Cummings. Meanwhile, in the front row, David Cherry will make his first start at hooker while Zander Fagerson returns at tighthead in the place of WP Nel.
On the bench, Jaco van der Walt provides cover for the flyhalf and fullback positions.
Scotland – 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Stuart Hogg (c), 9 Scott Steele, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 David Cherry, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Subs: 16 George Turner, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Nick Haining, 21 Ali Price, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Chris Harris.
