Scotland make four changes

Scotland have been forced into four changes for Saturday's third and final autumn Test against Canada at Pittodrie. Fullback Chris Paterson, wing Thom Evans and flanker Jason White have been omitted after suffering injuries in the weekend's 14-10 defeat to South Africa.

After missing that game and the previous Saturday's defeat to New Zealand, the fit again Simon Taylor replaces Allister Hogg at number eight.

Also drafted in are wingers Simon Webster and Nikki Walker, with Rory Lamont switching to full-back. Max Evans is included in a senior Scotland 22 for the first time after being named on the bench.

Should Ireland lose against Argentina, a win against the Canucks will elevate Scotland above Declan Kidney's side and into the second tier of nations in the IRB rankings ahead of next month's World Cup draw.

Head coach Frank Hadden said: "There is an element of freshening up the squad and it's also an opportunity to look at certain blends ahead of the Six Nations but, as ever, the selection is about winning the game."

Scotland : R Lamont; S Webster, B Cairns, N De Luca, N Walker; P Godman, M Blair (capt); A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray, N Hines, J Hamilton, A Strokosch, S Taylor, J Barclay. Replacements : D Hall, A Dickinson, M Mustchin, S Gray, R Lawson, D Parks, M Evans