Uncapped Australia-born centre Sam Johnson will make his Scotland debut in their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday.

The Glasgow Warriors midfielder, who qualified through residency last year, was denied a Test bow in November due to a knee injury, but will start at Murrayfield this weekend.

Hooker Jake Kerr and back-row Gary Graham could make their first international appearances off the bench against Conor O'Shea's men.

Gregor Townsend makes six changes to the side that beat Argentina last time out, one of which sees Tommy Seymour replace Sean Maitland (hamstring) on the wing.

Hooker Stuart McInally, lock Ben Toolis, and back-rows Sam Skinner and Ryan Wilson come into the side in place of the injured Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray and Hamish Watson, with Josh Strauss dropping to the bench.

Scrum-half Greig Laidlaw is back to captain his country as Finn Russell switches to fly-half following the inclusion of Johnson.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; Allan Dell, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner, Jamie Ritchie, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Jake Kerr, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Gary Graham, Josh Strauss, Ali Price, Adam Hastings, Chris Harris.