Stafford McDowall will make his Guinness Six Nations debut after being named in the starting XV to face Ireland on Saturday. 

Gregor Townsend has made two changes to his team from the side that lost against Italy last weekend and McDowall will get his shot at inside centre alongside midfield partner and Glasgow Warriors teammate Huw Jones with Cameron Redpath dropping to the bench.

McDowall has impressed for Glasgow this season and was named as man of the match in the two URC games during the Six Nations against Dragons and Benetton. He's been a key player for Franco Smith and now Townsend hopes he can continue that partnership he has with Jones at international level with Sione Tiupulotu continuing to miss out. 

The pair are joined by the same back three as last week with Kyle Steyn and Duhan van der Merwe starting on the wings and Blair Kinghorn continuing at full back once more. 

The other change to the team sees Ben White return after being rested for the defeat in Rome and he comes back in alongside Finn Russell in the half backs.

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The forwards are unchanged from last week with Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson starting alongside hooker George Turner, while Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings continue in the second row. 

Co-captain Rory Darge starts at openside again while Andy Christie retains his place at blindside and Jack Dempsey starts at No. 8. 

Townsend has also decided to revert to a 5-3 split on his bench and it means Jamie Ritchie misses out on the match day 23 again. He's had a mixed campaign after losing the captaincy but he did start in Wales before dropping out against France. He was back in against England before dropping to the bench in Rome and now he's out of the squad completely. 

Scotland do welcome Rory Sutherland back though and he's among the replacements for the first time in this year's Six Nations. The British and Irish Lion is joined by Ewan Ashman and Elliot Millar-Mills to cover the front row with Sam Skinner and Matt Fagerson the other forwards. 

George Horne drops to the bench after starting last week and he's joined by Redpath and Kyle Rowe, who was an unused replacement last week. 

Scotland team to face Ireland: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White, Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Andy Christie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Rowe