Scarlets flanker John Barclay will make his first Six Nations appearance in four years when he starts for Scotland against England at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The back-row forward last played in the tournament in 2012, and spent two years in the international wilderness before being recalled for a pair of World Cup warm-up matches, although he did not make the final squad.
His inclusion in the starting XV is one of just two changes to the team which suffered an agonising 35-34 defeat to Australia in the World Cup quarter-final last autumn.
The 29-year-old replaces Blair Cowan, who drops to the bench, on the blindside while centre Matt Scott comes in for the injured Peter Horne to partner Mark Bennett in the midfield.
There is a settled look to coach Vern Cotter's side otherwise, with scrum-half Greig Laidlaw set to captain the side and link up with his regular half-back partner, fly-half Finn Russell.
The playmakers and the midfield duo will seek to release a talented back three, which consists of Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour on the wings, with the dynamic Stuart Hogg at full-back.
Barclay will pack down alongside John Hardie and David Denton in the back-row and the brothers Jonny and Richie Gray will start their 10th Test together as the lock pairing.
And the scrum will be anchored by the Edinburgh trio of Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and Willem Nel.
Scotland impressed with their vibrant displays at the World Cup last autumn but their recent Six Nations campaigns have been disappointing and they collected the wooden spoon last year after losing all five of their matches.
Cotter said: "There's a huge amount of excitement and determination among the group to start well, and do well, in this Championship, and show that they have learned from past experiences and developed their game.
"Playing in front of a sold-out BT Murrayfield Stadium is hugely motivating for the players, who are all very proud to wear the jersey. They like working hard for each other in the no-excuse environment that exists in the squad.
"England will look to build their game from set-phase dominance, while we expect them to have developed their attacking play into the wider channels, which can create challenges as well as opportunities.
"We're expecting them to be extremely motivated and physical, and we're looking forward to that challenge.
"Continuity and accuracy will be key for us in this game."
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 John Barclay, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Duncan Taylor.