Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist form a new-look second row and Zander Fagerson is back in the starting XV as Scotland chase victory away to Ireland that could lead to a first Six Nations title.
Scotland’s sensational 50-40 win over France at Murrayfield has put them in contention for a first championship since their 1999 triumph in the old Five Nations.
However, Scotland have lost their past 11 matches against Ireland, have not won in Dublin since 2010 and have never won four games in a Six Nations campaign.
They also need defending champions France to slip up at home to England.
Head coach Gregor Townsend insists his squad are “fresh” and “loving playing together” after an incredible display against the French but played down questions referencing the Dublin showdown as a cup final.
“We’ve not talked about that,” he said of the various title permutations. It’s the final opportunity for this group to go out and play.
“It’ll be a different game than last week. You’ve got to adapt, stick together for that 80 minutes and give it everything.
“It’s out of our hands really. We can only do a certain amount and that’s good in a way too. It’s a game for us to play against an opponent that’s had the upper hand on us for years.
“They’ve got a brilliant record at home. It’s a real opportunity, a challenge but an opportunity for us to go and deliver an even better performance than we did last week.”
Locks Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, who started in the wins over England and France are ruled out through injury.
Gilchrist will win his 88th cap for his country, becoming Scotland’s all-time record appearance-maker for a second row.
Williamson is given a second chance after his early removal in the comeback victory in Wales.
Having come off the bench at the halfway stage against France, Zander Fagerson reclaims his place from D’Arcy Rae.
Winger Kyle Steyn, who has scored three tries in the tournament, is fit after going off with a gashed leg last weekend.
There are changes on the bench as back-row Magnus Bradbury, lock Alex Craig and winger / full-back Kyle Rowe make the matchday 23 for this first time in this campaign.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe is among those sidelined, along with back-up fly-half Adam Hastings and props Elliot Millar Mills and Nathan McBeth, while Jamie Ritchie and Jamie Dobie picked up injuries earlier in the tournament.
