Within the forwards, Glasgow prop Fin Richardson is known as in a senior Scotland aspect for the primary time alongside his membership team-mate Nathan McBeth, and Edinburgh’s Patrick Harrison is at hooker.
George Turner will make his Scotland return from the bench, having solely just lately come again from a spell with the Kobe Steelers in Japan to signal for Harlequins.
Uncapped Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke, who was born in New Zealand however qualifies via Scottish grandparents, can also be among the many replacements as is Montpellier quantity eight Alexander Masibaka.
Sale’s Arron Reed and Edinburgh’s Harry Paterson begin on the wings, with the latter taking part in for Scotland for the primary time in a yr.
Full-back Ollie Smith additionally has not performed internationally for the reason that 2023 World Cup and has battled again from a knee damage, whereas second-row Cameron Henderson and openside flanker Andy Onyeama-Christie are each again from prolonged lay-offs as effectively.
Darcy Graham, Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist and tour captain Rory Darge are among the many extra skilled gamers not within the squad with two matches left to return.
“The proof is there from our final summer time tour – I feel we had 11 new caps on that tour and a variety of these gamers went on to play Assessments in November after which featured within the Six Nations, so the chance is there for them,” Townsend mentioned of his choice.
“The chance is there within the quick time period to exit and play effectively this weekend and put strain on choice for the Fiji sport, the Samoa sport, but in addition profit from this time collectively, so that they go away a very good impression on our minds as coaches for when subsequent season comes round.”
Scotland tackle the Maori All Blacks on Saturday (04:35 BST), earlier than dealing with Fiji in Suva the next week and ending their tour at Eden Park in Auckland in opposition to Samoa on 18 July.
