Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has dropped captain Greig Laidlaw to the bench for their Six Nations clash with Wales but restored Finn Russell in the flyhalf position after he recovered from a head injury.

Scrum-half Laidlaw will be replaced by Ali Price, with Townsend picking a side he says has “the best chance of winning at the weekend” and making four changes in all.

“Greig, having started in our last six games is a key member of our squad, although this week we have decided to utilise his leadership and experience off the bench,” Townsend said.

“He is driven by a desire to win for his country and he should have an important role to play in the latter stages of the match.”

Russell’s return at fly-half is a boost for the side and sees Pete Horne move to inside centre ahead of Sam Johnson for Saturday’s showdown in Edinburgh.

Darcy Graham will earn a first start on the wing in the place of the injured Sean Maitland and Willem Nel takes over at tighthead prop from Simon Berghan, who drops to the bench.

Hooker Stuart McInally takes over the captaincy from Laidlaw.

“We have had a couple of weeks since our defeat in Paris to look at ways we can improve our performances, through what we do in training, our tactical approach and through selection,” Townsend said.

Lock Jonny Gray and wing Tommy Seymour will both earn their 50th caps.

Scotland beat Italy in their Six Nations opener, but have since suffered a home defeat to Ireland and an away loss to France.

They host a Wales side that are unbeaten in their previous 12 tests.

Scotland team: Blair Kinghorn, Tommy Seymour, Nick Grigg, Pete Horne, Darcy Graham, Finn Russell, Ali Price, Josh Strauss, Jamie Ritchie, Magnus Bradbury, Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Willem Nel, Stuart McInally (capt), Allan Dell

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Simon Berghan, Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson, Greig Laidlaw, Adam Hastings, Byron McGuigan.