Rory Lawson to captain Scotland in Mike Blair's absence

RORY Lawson will captain Scotland for the first time in Saturday's Test against South Africa after Mike Blair was ruled out with concussion.

Blair suffered a blow to the head in the first half of Scotland's 49-3 defeat to New Zealand last Saturday and has been ruled out of the Murrayfield meeting with the world champions, with Lawson (pictured) taking his place as scrum-half and skipper.

Lawson missed the All Blacks clash with a hand injury but returns as one of four changes, with one positional switch, from the starting XV which began last weekend's loss.

Nikki Walker comes in on the wing in place of Rory Lamont for his first start in two years, while Scott MacLeod has been selected at second row in place of Jim Hamilton.

Nathan Hines has been selected at blindside flanker, with Kelly Brown switching to number eight and Richie Vernon dropping to the bench.

Robinson has also made changes on the bench, with Dougie Hall preferred to Scott Lawson as replacement hooker, Moray Low in as replacement prop in place of the injured Alasdair Dickinson, while Chris Paterson has been named in the Scotland matchday 22 for the first time since suffering a kidney injury as he picked up his 100th cap against Wales in the RBS 6 Nations in February.

Robinson said: "We have to show Scotland's supporters this weekend that we are ready to face up to the intensely physical challenge that the South Africans always present.

"The players are pledged to deliver a much-improved performance this weekend and I believe they can restore pride in the Scotland jersey.