Scotland make six changes for second Test against Japan

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has made six changes for the second Test against Japan to be played on Saturday in Ajinomoto Stadium.

Henry Pyrgos, who has made only 17 appearances for Scotland will be leading the team in Tokyo and will also replace Greig Laidlaw at scrum-half.

Edinburgh prop Rory Sutherland will make his first start for Scotland and will be joined by the 31-year-old Exeter prop Moray Low in the front row.

Sutherland will take the place of Alasdair Dickinson, who is out of the tour with an injury while Low has made a swap with Willem Nel, who now moves to the bench.

Glasgow Warriors flanker Josh Strauss makes a comeback in the starting XV replacing John Hardie, who is among the replacements.

Stormers centre Huw Jones will have a chance to make his debut after being named in the replacement.
Winger Sean Maitland and centre Peter Horne will also start in the XV replacing Damien Hoyland and Duncan Taylor respectively.

Pyrgos, who underwent a wrist surgery after the World Cup said it is a honour to represent Scotland and is hoping to lead from the front on Saturday.

"It was frustrating after the World Cup with the operation, but I feel I found some good form with Glasgow and is is great to be back involved with Scotland.

"It is a huge privilege and honour every time you are named in the squad and to get a start is brilliant. I am really looking forward to it.

"I feel I have had a few games under my belt and been around the Scotland squad. Being captain does bring a slightly different element, there are things you have to think about. If you are not captain, you just think about your own role.

"Things are slightly different but I have had a few opportunities with Glasgow and a few times with Scotland so it is something I have grown into and enjoy.

"First and foremost in the end we have to go out and play well so that is my main focus, do that well and hope the team put in a good performance and then it becomes an easier job."

Scotland: S Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); T Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), M Scott (Gloucester), P Horne (Glasgow Warriors) S Maitland (Saracens); R Jackson (Harlequins), H Pyrgos (C) (Glasgow Warriors); R Sutherland (Edinburgh), S McInally (Edinburgh), M Low (Exeter), R Gray (Toulouse), J Gray (Glasgow Warriors), J Strauss (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Scarlets), R Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: F Brown (Glasgow Warriors), G Reid (Glasgow Warriors), W Nel (Edinburgh Rugby), T Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), J Hardie (Edinburgh), G Laidlaw (Gloucester), H Jones (Stormers), S Lamont (Glasgow Warriors).