Low gets nod for Japan clash

By Mark Stevens
24/6/2016

Exeter Chiefs prop Moray Low will make his first Test start in three years  when he lines up for Scotland against Japan this weekend.

The talented tight-head, 31, is one of six changes made by head coach Vern Cotter, who has stuck with his promise to give every member of his touring squad some game time.

Skipper Greig Laidlaw is among those to be rotated out of the starting XV, with Henry Pyrgos coming in at scrum-half and taking the captain's armband.

South Africa-based centre Huw Jones is set to win his first cap from the bench, while Low starts in place of Willem Nel, who is among the replacements.

There is also a shake-up in the back row with the ball-carrying skills of Josh Strauss being drafted in at flanker and John Barclay moving from blindside to openside.

John Hardie drops to the bench after 16 months of non-stop action when he backed up a Super Rugby season in New Zealand with a move to Scotland in time for the World Cup.

Scotland: S Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); T Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), M Scott (Gloucester), P Horne (Glasgow Warriors) S Maitland (Saracens); R Jackson (Harlequins), H Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors, capt); R Sutherland (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), M Low (Exeter Chiefs), R Gray (Toulouse), J Gray (Glasgow Warriors), J Strauss (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Scarlets), R Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: F Brown (Glasgow Warriors), G Reid (Glasgow Warriors), W Nel (Edinburgh Rugby), T Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), J Hardie (Edinburgh), G Laidlaw (Gloucester), H Jones (Stormers), S Lamont (Glasgow Warriors).