Thursday 20 November 2014 18:29, UK
Scotland coach Vern Cotter has been forced to make four changes to his side ahead for Saturday's historic match against Tonga at Rugby Park.
The home of Scottish Premiership football side Kilmarnock is set to host the first ever major international Test to be played on a synthetic pitch.
Tighthead prop Geoff Cross and No 8 Johnnie Beattie have been named in the pack in place of Euan Murray and Adam Ashe, who miss out through thigh and neck injuries respectively.
In the backs, Sean Lamont, who won his 90th cap when he came on in the 13th minute in last weekend’s 24-16 defeat to New Zealand at Murrayfield as an injury replacement for his Glasgow Warriors team-mate Mark Bennett (hamstring), retains his place in midfield.
The final change sees Edinburgh winger Tim Visser make his first appearance since the summer tour in place of the injured Sean Maitland (hamstring).
There were a lot of good things in the game and a lot of things we've looked to improve. That's the nature of this squad, they're a young group that wants to move forward.
Ryan Grant, Alasdair Strokosch, Duncan Taylor and Kieran Low have all been called onto the replacements’ bench.
Cotter, whose side defeated Argentina before their battling performance against the All Blacks, said: "We came very close to the best side in the world last Saturday, which left us very disappointed but, when you look at the content of our performance and what the players did on the paddock, it'd be hard for any coach to be too unhappy.
"The work rate, desire and determination of the squad on the field was excellent. There were a lot of good things in the game and a lot of things we've looked to improve. That's the nature of this squad, they're a young group that wants to move forward.
"They were naturally disappointed not to build on a good performance against Argentina, but were quick to put that behind them in training this week, and look forward to putting the jersey on again to face Tonga at Rugby Park.
“Tonga pride themselves on their physicality, power and pace, all of which combined to hurt Scotland at Pittodrie two years ago.
"We will have to be on top of our game and continue our trajectory of improvements if we are to secure the win this Saturday."
Tonga have made just one change from the side that defeated the United States in Gloucester last weekend, with Latiume Fosita replacing Kurt Morath at fly-half.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Geoff Cross, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Duncan Taylor.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo; 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Hemani Paea, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo; 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Sonatane Takulua; 1 Tevita Mailau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 5 Joe Tu'ineau, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Nili Latu (capt), 8 Viliami Ma'afu.
Replacements: Elvis Taione, Sione Lea, Sila Puafisi, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Hale T Pole, Tomasi Palu, Kurt Morath, Sione Piukala.
