Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has made four changes for tonight’s summer tour rugby union Test match against Canada in Toronto.
Two of the four are injury enforced, with lock Grant Gilchrist and centre Peter Horne replacing the injured Jim Hamilton (ankle) and Duncan Taylor (centre).
Horne’s outing will be his first start for the national team, having made two substitute appearances off the bench on last year’s summer tour.
A knee injury sustained in his second test against South Africa curtailed the 24 year-old playmaker’s international involvement this season.
He returned to action for Glasgow Warriors in April and now aims to extend his international honours in the three remaining summer Tests.
Gilchrist will make his third start and sixth appearance for his country with the added responsibility of calling the nation’s lineouts alongside former age-grade second-row partner Richie Gray.
The remaining changes see Kelly Brown and Moray Low replace last week’s debutant back-row Blair Cowan and prop Geoff Cross who start on the bench.
Cotter has made two further changes to the substitutes, with Alex Allan and Pat MacArthur replaced by Kyle Traynor and Kevin Bryce, the latter set for an international debut if called into action.
The head coach said: “Peter Horne was due to fly out for the second part of the tour but, because of injury, we’re getting a look at him a week earlier than we thought we would. He’s a specialist 12 and he gets an opportunity to slot straight in, having worked hard and asked a lot of questions since arriving.
“Grant Gilchrist came on after 35 minutes against United States and played very well. He’s a leader within the group through his communication and his performances and was a good example of someone who’s keen and wants to do well for the team.
“Moray Low came on at the end of the US game and played well and now gets a start and Kelly Brown comes in to bring all his experience after a very good season with Saracens.
“With Al Strokosch and Kelly you have two back-row players who can cover both the open and blind sides. We have mobile locks who carry the ball well, so I think it’s complementary to have all those players together in the forward pack. Greig Laidlaw will keep the captaincy to give continuity for these two games.”
SCOTLAND
Replacements: