Henry Pyrgos to lead much-changed Scotland side

Henry Pyrgos will serve as captain amidst 10 changes for Scotland ahead of their Pool B clash with the United States in Leeds on Sunday.

The Scots crushed Japan 45-10 at Kingsholm on Wednesday but with just four days' rest, head coach Vern Cotter has decided to substantially alter his side for their second Pool B fixture at Elland Road.

The bench used against the Brave Blossoms has been promoted in its entirety to starting duty, with South-African born number eight Josh Strauss making his first start for his adopted nation only a week after becoming eligible for selection on residency grounds.

Scrum-half Pyrgos, who captained the team against Ireland last month and scored twice during the summer warm-up Tests, partners stand-off Finn Russell, one of only five players to retains his place in Scotland’s starting XV. Full-back Stuart Hogg, centre Mark Bennett, lock Grant Gilchrist and flanker John Hardie are the others to have survived head coach Vern Cotter’s decision to rotate the squad..

Cotter said: "We said from the start that we'd need the whole group of 31 players for this campaign.

"We've known this schedule for a long time and have tried to keep continuity in selection, while also introducing fresh legs to what will be another very physical challenge this Sunday."

Bennett, who impressed Wednesday by scoring twice against Japan, will line-up alongside Peter Horne in the midfield as Matt Scott drops to the bench, while Tim Visser and Sean Maitland starting on the wings in lieu of Sean Lamont and Tommy Seymour.

In the pack, the front row of Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and Willem Nel who started the fixture at Kingsholm have been replaced in a direct swap for Ryan Grant, Fraser Brown and Jon Welsh.

Lock Richie Gray takes over from brother Jonny at lock and in the back-row, Al Strokosch and Josh Strauss come in for Ryan Wilson and David Denton.

Cotter added: "I was pleased with both the commitment and composure against Japan, particularly towards the end of the game, however we are always working and looking for things on which to improve.

"Hopefully we'll see the result of that this Sunday in another very important Test match in our pool."

Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (London Irish), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Harlequins), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) capt; Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons), Richie Gray (Castres), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), John Hardie (unattached), Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh).