Scotland need 'something special' for Ireland trip
Written by I Dig SportsStafford McDowall makes his first Six Nations appearance as Scotland visit table-topping Ireland on Saturday.
The Glasgow centre, 26, made his debut against Italy last summer but was not included in the World Cup squad.
He takes over from Cameron Redpath to join club-mate Huw Jones in midfield.
Ben White returns in place of George Horne at scrum-half having been rested for last weekend's disappointing 31-29 loss to Italy in Rome, which left Scotland third in the standings.
Both Horne and Redpath drop to the bench, where they are joined by experienced loose-head prop Rory Sutherland, who has yet to feature in this year's tournament.
Former captain Jamie Ritchie, Ali Price and Alec Hepburn are the trio dropping out of the squad.
Defending champions Ireland are seeking a 10th successive victory over Scotland, whose last win in Dublin came in 2010.
A win or draw will clinch the championship for Andy Farrell's hosts.
The most recent meeting was a one-sided 36-14 Irish win at the World Cup in October, with Scotland conceding six tries before getting on the scoreboard.
Scotland: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, McDowall, Van Der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Millar-Mills, Skinner, M Fagerson, Horne, Redpath, Rowe.