Worcester Warriors centre Alex Grove is named among the replacements as Scotland make six changes in personnel from November’s Test against Argentina for their opening RBS 6 Nations Championship match against France at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Introduced to the starting team are Chris Paterson, who will be winning his 99th cap at full-back; the Glasgow centre pairing Max Evans and Graeme Morrison; Gloucester loose-head prop Alasdair Dickinson; and the Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay.
Of those players omitted Rory Lamont and Alasdair Strokosch were discounted through injury, while Grove, Allan Jacobsen and Alan MacDonald remain in the 22. Only Ben Cairns has missed out entirely.
The uncapped 20-year-old Glasgow lock, Richie Gray, wins a place on the bench after a string of committed displays during the last two months.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “There has been improved competition for places since the Autumn Tests and selection has been based both on achievements within the autumn matches and on current form.
“France have a fantastic squad. The fact they defeated New Zealand in Dunedin last June illustrates that they can win and win well away from home.
“We are excited about the start of the Championship but we know that we have not won our first game in the competition since 2006, so all our focus is on making a winning start against France on Sunday.”
Scotland team: 15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 14 Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), 13 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), 12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), 11 Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh), 9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), 1 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), 4 Nathan Hines (Leinster), 5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warrors), 8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors).
16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester), 17 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), 18 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), 19 Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), 20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester), 21 Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), 22 Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais)