Scotland forced into four changes
Head coach Vern Cotter has made four injury-enforced changes to Scotland starting XV that will play Tonga in Saturday's historic Test match in Kilmarnock.
The match will be the first time an International fixture, involving a Tier One country, will be played on an entirely artificial pitch.
The team's alterations are split evenly between the forwards and backs, with tighthead prop Geoff Cross and No.8 Johnnie Beattie stepping into the pack for Euan Murray and Adam Ashe, who miss out through thigh and neck injuries respectively.
In the backs, 90-cap Glasgow Warrior Sean Lamont, who came on in the 13th minute against New Zealand as an injury replacement for club mate Mark Bennett (hamstring), retains his place in midfield.
The final change sees Edinburgh's free-scoring wing Tim Visser set to make his first appearance since the summer tour, in place of Sean Maitland who misses the game due to a hamstring injury.
"We came very close to the best side in the world last Saturday, which left us very disappointed but, when you look at the content of our performance and what the players did on the paddock, it'd be hard for any coach to be too unhappy.
"The work rate, desire and determination of the squad on the field was excellent. There were a lot of good things in the game and we've looked to improve other things. That's the nature of this squad, they're a young group that wants to move forward.
"They were naturally disappointed not to build on a good performance against Argentina, but were quick to put that behind them in training this week," Cotter said.
Three of the four changes to the starting team are promotions from the bench selected in the national team's previous match against New Zealand last weekend.
As a result, Ryan Grant, Alasdair Strokosch and Duncan Taylor all step into the vacated substitute positions, with Kieran Low taking the place of David Denton as the lock replacement.
"The players take a lot of pride from playing for Scotland and really enjoy pulling on the shirt, and I can see that enthusiasm in training and in the games we play.
"They're setting standards for themselves, which I think is really important for moving forward. It is very encouraging and we'll continue to work hard on parts of our game to create pressure, momentum and points.
"To do that against an impressive and powerful Tongan team will present another big challenge for this group. The Pacific Islanders pride themselves on their physicality, power and pace, all of which combined to hurt Scotland at Pittodrie two years ago.
"We will have to be on top of our game and continue our trajectory of improvements if we are to secure the win this Saturday," he added.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Duncan Taylor.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Kick-off: 14.30 (14.30 GMT, 03.30 Sunday, November 23 Tonga Time)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Greg Garner (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
