Scotland have made six changes from their autumn win over Australia ahead of the Six Nations opener against Wales this weekend.
Stuart Hogg returns at full-back, while Chris Harris fills the outside-centre berth after an impressive season with Newcastle Falcons.
But it’s in the pack that sees the majority of the changes.
Ravaged with front-row injuries, Gordon Reid and John Welsh come in on the tight and loose, while Ben Toolis and Cornell du Preez start in the second row and Number 8 respectively.
Despite injury concerns, Gregor Townsend will have plenty of experience to call on from the bench with Scot Lawson, Ryan Wilson, Greig Laidlaw, Peter Horne and Sean Maitland all waiting in the wings with almost 200 international appearances between them.
Townsend understandably upbeat after a November series that saw them thump Australia and go close to a remarkable victory over world champions New Zealand, is confident his team can justify their dark horses tag for their first ever Six Nations crown by getting off to a good start.
“We’ve selected a squad that we believe can start the championship with the intensity and speed required to win in Cardiff,” said Townsend, who is bidding to become the first Scots coach to experience a win in Cardiff since 2002.
“Last year’s championship highlighted that every game is a fierce competition and that all teams have to play at their very best to win away from home.
“Delivering that level of performance has been firmly in our thoughts during our preparations this week. We’re expecting a really physical game against a very good team.
“Wales have one of the best defences in the game and an attack that sees forwards passing much more and a structure that enables backs to get on ball.”
The squad in full:
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Gordon Reid (London Irish), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray, John Barclay (Scarlets, captain), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh).
Replacements: Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Murray McCallum (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens).
