Glasgow centre Andrew Henderson will make his first international start when Scotland take on Italy in the Lloyds TSB Six Nations International in Rome on Saturday.
Henderson has been included by coach Ian McGeechan, who has dropped fly-half Duncan Hodge following his poor kicking display in the Calcutta Cup game at Murrayfield two weeks ago.
Castres stand-off Gregor Townsend is moved from the inside centre spot, with Henderson coming in to partner James McLaren in the Scottish midfield.
B Laney (Edinburgh); G Metcalfe (Glasgow), J McLaren (Glasgow), A Henderson (Glasgow), C Paterson (Edinburgh); G Townsend (Castres), B Redpath (Sale, captain); T Smith (Northampton), G Bulloch (Glasgow), M Stewart (Northampton), S Murray (Saracens), S Grimes (Newcastle), J White (Glasgow), A Mower (Newcastle), S Taylor (Edinburgh).
Replacements: G Graham (Newcastle), R Russell (Saracens), M Leslie (Edinburgh), J Petrie (Glasgow), G Beveridge (Glasgow), D Hodge (Edinburgh), K Logan (Wasps).
PA