Townsend has made three changes to his starting XV, with loosehead Rory Sutherland, back-rower Jack Dempsey and versatile back Tom Jordan replacing Pierre Schoeman, Jamie Ritchie and Stafford McDowall, all of whom drop to the bench.

Sutherland will feature in the front row alongside Dave Cherry and Zander Fagerson while Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist retain their place in the second row. Matt Ferguson moves from number eight to six and Sam Skinner makes the bench after being a late call up to the squad earlier this week.

Scotland have made three changes to their side for the visit of champions Ireland to Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Sunday, with Tom Jordan drafted in at inside centre, Jack Dempsey at number eight and Rory Sutherland into the front row.