Glasgow Warriors back row forward Ryan Wilson will lead out Scotland for the first time ever on Friday night after being named as captain for their clash with Georgia.

Scotland’s final warm-up clash before heading to Japan sees Wilson get the nod in the back row alongside Scarlets No.8 Blade Thomson and Edinburgh’s Jamie Ritchie.

Scotland downed Georgia in Tbilisi a week ago but only three players remain in the starting XV from that impressive 44-10 victory.

Edinburgh duo Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn stay in the back three while Glasgow centre Sam Johnson is again named at No.12.

But in a week when Stuart McInally was unveiled as the Scotland skipper in Japan and Townsend named his 31-man squad, this starting XV is full of fresh combinations.

Johnson is paired in midfield with Duncan Taylor for the first time while Tommy Seymour is back fit and joins the Edinburgh youngsters in the back three.

Adam Hastings and Ali Price are the half-backs and Jonny Gray makes his first start of the summer in the second row alongside Scott Cummings.

Up front Gordon Reid and Zander Fagerson pack down either side of George Turner while on the bench both Grant Stewart and Magnus Bradbury are named despite missing out on the 31 heading to the Far East.

They are joined in the replacements by Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Ben Toolis, George and Peter Horne and Chris Harris.

Townsend said: “We’ve been together since the middle of June and Friday night is our final chance this year to play in front of our supporters.

“It’s another opportunity for players to get valuable game time and build on what was a very good performance last weekend in Georgia. We are very aware that Georgia will be much improved after their first hit out of the season and they will know much more about how we play.

“It’s also great to involve two players in our squad this weekend – Grant Stewart and Magnus Bradbury – who just missed out on selection to our group to travel to Japan.”

Scotland team to face Georgia:

Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
Duncan Taylor (Saracens)
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors)
Darcy Graham (Edinburgh)
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)
Gordon Reid (Ayrshire Bulls)
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors)
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) ©
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)
Blade Thomson (Scarlets)

Replacements:

Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors)
Allan Dell (Edinburgh)
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh)
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh)
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh)
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
Chris Harris (Gloucester)