Allister Hogg will make his first appearance in five years for Scotland when he starts against England in an A international tomorrow.
The Newcastle Falcons No.8 was last night named among the XV who will try to secure a third straight victory over the Auld Enemy at this level, when the two sides resume hostilities at Scotstoun.
The Scots ran in four tries to defeat their English counterparts 35-0 in Galashiels two years ago and then won 13-9 in Newcastle 12 months later. The home side tomorrow will go in search of a hat trick of victories with a starting side comprising eight players from Glasgow Warriors, three more from Edinburgh and four Exiles. Fraser Brown, Blair Cowan, Kieran Low, Byron McGuigan, Mark Bennett and captain Jonny Gray will all make their debuts from the start.
Now 31, Hogg can be considered an experienced player by comparison but one who has not figured in the international arena since an ill-fated appearance for the senior side in the 2009 Six Nations campaign. He was dropped after a poor performance in a 26-13 defeat by Wales and has not been seen in dark blue since.
The No.8 will be central to Scotland A tomorrow, though. "Allister has been playing very well for Newcastle Falcons, so he'll also be a key player for us," said Shade Munro, the head coach.
"There is a great mix of youth and experience within our squad and it's really encouraging to see so many young players coming through. It's absolutely fantastic to be playing the game in Glasgow for the first time and I hope the fans come out in numbers to support the team.
"We're trying to win our third game in a row against England Saxons, but we know how difficult the game is going to be and we'll need to be at our best. The players have one game to show what they can do before the Six Nations and it's a chance for them to showcase their skills."
TEAM. Scotland A (v England Saxons, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, tomorrow, 7.30)
J Cuthbert (Edinburgh); D Fife (Edinburgh), M Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), A Grove (Worcester Warriors), B McGuigan (Glasgow Warriors); G Tonks (Edinburgh), H Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), G Reid (Glasgow Warriors), F Brown (Glasgow Warriors), J Welsh (Glasgow Warriors), K Low (London Irish), J Gray (captain, Glasgow Warriors), R Harley (Glasgow Warriors), B Cowan (London Irish), A Hogg (Newcastle Falcons)
Substitutes K Bryce (Glasgow Warriors), A Allan (Edinburgh), E Kalman (Glasgow Warriors), O Atkins (Edinburgh), T Holmes (Glasgow Warriors), G Hart (Edinburgh), T Heathcote (Bath), R Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)
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