Blake to make Scotland debut

Scotland will hand New Zealand-born flanker Hugh Blake his first cap when the Dark Blues kick-off their World Cup preparations against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Head coach Vern Cotter sparked controversy when he named the 22-year-old Blake in his squad for this year's RBS 6 Nations before the New Zealander had even featured for his then club side Edinburgh.

However Blake, who has now switched to Glasgow, did not make an appearance in the tournament and will instead make his international bow against Joe Schmidt's team at the Aviva Stadium.

Blake's Warriors team-mate Mike Cusack - a Yorkshire-born prop - could also earn his first international honours if he is called into action off the bench.

Scrum-half Henry Pyrgos will skipper the Scots as they play the first of four preparatory Tests ahead of their Pool B opener with Japan in Gloucester on September 23.

Wasps back Ruaridh Jackson will start in an unfamiliar full-back role while Richie Vernon makes his return to national team fold after a three-year absence - with the former number eight winning his first cap since switching to the centre positions.

Grant Gilchrist - who was set to skipper the team during the Autumn internationals before an arm injury ruled him out for 10 months – is also set to return to Cotter’s lineup having been named at lock.

The full team can be found below:

15. Ruaridh Jackson 14. Sean Lamont 13. Richie Vernon. 12.  Peter Horne 11. Tim 10. Greig Tonks 9. Henry Pygros (Captain) 8. David Denton 7. Hugh Blake 6. Blair Cowan 5. Grant Gilchrist 4. Jim Hamiltom 3. Jon Welsh 2. Fraser Brown 1. Ryan Grant

Substitutes: Ross Ford, Gordon Reid, Mike Cusack, Rob Harley, John Barclay, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Duncan Weird, Matt Scott