Kelly Brown has been recalled as flanker and skipper among three changes to Scotland’s pack for the Six Nations match against France at Murrayfield.
Brown was dropped by interim head coach Scott Johnson after the opening loss to Ireland and didn’t feature in either the 20-0 home loss to England or the 21-20 victory over Italy in Rome last month.
Brown replaced newcomer Chris Fusaro to join Geoff Cross and David Denton in a reshuffled pack.
“Saturday is a game that will really suit Kelly,” the Aussie coach said on Tuesday.
“Unlike other sides in the competition, France play above the ground a bit and there will be a lot of mauling.”
Cross was handed the starting berth at tighthead prop as a reward for his fine display against Italy, while No.8 Denton replaced Ryan Wilson, who was dropped to the bench after a bout of tonsillitis.
“Ryan Wilson was not well at the start of this week with a tonsillitis bug and it was important we were not hampered in our training so Dents (Denton) comes straight in,” Johnson said.
“Geoff did really well when he came on against Italy and it’s right that he should start this week.”
The back division was unchanged from the win in Rome, and prop Euan Murray returned to the squad as a reserve after missing the first three games of the tournament due to injury.
SCOTLAND: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Alex Dunbar, Matt Scott, Sean Lamont, Duncan Weir, Greig Laidlaw; David Denton, Kelly Brown (captain), Johnnie Beattie, Jim Hamilton, Richie Gray, Geoff Cross, Scott Lawson, Ryan Grant.
RESERVES: Ross Ford, Alasdair Dickinson, Euan Murray, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson, Chris Cusiter, Duncan Taylor, Max Evans.