Huw Jones is in the "form of his career" according to Gregor Townsend, as the Glasgow centre prepares to win his 50th cap for Scotland this weekend.
Eight years on from his debut as a replacement in a win over Japan in Tokyo, Jones will bring up his half-century in Montevideo as Townsend again rings the changes for the final match of a 14-month season.
At times it has not been a straightforward journey for the Glasgow centre, who spent large parts of the Covid period out of the Scotland picture, with Townsend preferring the defensive solidity offered by Chris Harris.
But Jones, who burst onto the Test scene with two tries in his first start against Australia at Murrayfield - has become more all-round player since returning to Glasgow from Harlequins two years ago.
Townsend said: “He made such a big impact at Test level when he first became available for Scotland, scored a number of tries, then mainly through injury but also through competition both at club and international level he didn’t play as many games.
“And he’s now in the best form of his career and became an all-round player.
"He’s still got those running lines, ability to break through tackles, passing was always very good - but he’s also an excellent defender and his contact work has improved."
Townsend also lauded the 30-year-old's impact off the pitch, adding: "He’s full of positive energy and gets on with anybody, so that’s why I think he can gel so quickly with the likes of Sione [Tuipulotu] or Stafford [McDowall], both at club and Test level."
It is McDowall who partners Jones this weekend in a side showing 13 changes from the win over Chile, with only Kyle Rowe and Ben Healy retaining their starting berths.
Rowe moves to the wing to accommodate Harry Paterson at fullback in a back three that also includes Duhan van der Merwe. The Edinburgh wing needs just one more score to break Stuart Hogg's all-time Scotland try record. Healy is joined by George Horne at half-back.
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Up front, meanwhile, Rory Sutherland and Javan Sebastian will pack down either side of Ewan Ashman, who is also named as one of two vice-captains.
Glasgow pair Max Williamson and Scott Cummings pack down in the second row, with Luke Crosbie taking the number six jersey, captain Rory Darge on the openside and Matt Fagerson at number eight.
On the bench, Patrick Harrison - who debuted against Chile - is again the back-up hooker, with Pierre Schoeman and Murphy Walker the reserve props. Gregor Brown, the versatile Glasgow forward, will cover the second row while Jamie Ritchie is the back-row reserve.
The versatile Jamie Dobie joins fly-half Adam Hastings and his new Glasgow colleague Kyle Steyn as the backs replacements.
And despite their opposition being thrashed 79-5 by Argentina, Townsend still expects Uruguay to present the toughest challenge of the tour.
He said: "They were the strongest team when we were coming into this tour because of what they did at the World Cup and also because of the games they were going to get prior to us - they played France two weeks ago and Argentina at the weekend, so they were better prepared at playing Test teams.
“They didn’t perform that well at the weekend, we realise that, so often makes it a little bit tougher for you because you know you’re going to get a reaction.
"And we’ve got to make sure our players look at what they did at the World Cup, where they pushed France close, where they were leading against Italy going into the final quarter of the game - and when they played France just recently when they had opportunities to be ahead in the game.
“We’re expecting a real physical team. They’re strong around the tackle area, get a lot of jackle turnovers, they come off the line in defence and they’re a big pack - they scored a pushover try against France 10 days ago.
"It will be a test for our forwards at the weekend."
Townsend also explained Scottish Rugby did not choose the destination of the summer tour, which is determined by World Rugby.
He reiterated that it has had its benefits despite the one-sided nature of the matches so far.
"The summer tour schedules are given to you and you’ve got to make the most of it," he said.
"Initially it was two games against Canada and America and we decided to extend that to make it a period when you can work with more players and bring more players on tour."
Townsend has laid down a challenge for his team - to deliver their best performance of the tour.
He added: "It has been a big season and the effort the players have put in deserves a really good performance to finish up.
"They’ve enjoyed the tour so far, but it is not going to be enjoyable when they look back on it if they don’t deliver a really good performance this weekend, so that’s what we are all working towards.”
Scotland: Harry Paterson, Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Healy, George Horne; Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Javan Sebastian, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Luke Crosbie, Rory Darge (captain), Matt Fagerson
Replacements: Patrick Harrison, Pierre Schoeman, Murphy Walker, Gregor Brown, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings, Kyle Steyn
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