Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie has been ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations with a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old went off in the second half of last weekend’s victory over England and the Scottish Rugby Union confirmed, while announcing the team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, that his campaign is over.
In one of five changes to the side that started the Calcutta Cup match, Ritchie will be replaced by Exeter’s Sam Skinner for this weekend’s trip to the Principality Stadium.
There are three changes to Gregor Townsend’s front row for the match in Cardiff, with Edinburgh’s Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel starting alongside hooker Stuart McInally.
Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu comes in to make his third Scotland appearance at inside centre.
Zander Fagerson, George Turner and Rory Sutherland drop to the bench, while Sam Johnson has been released to play for Glasgow on Friday.
Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist will win his 50th cap at lock.
Glasgow flanker Rory Darge is among the substitutes and will win his first cap if he gets off the bench. Scrum-half Ben White who scored a debut try against England last weekend, is again a replacement, alongside Blair Kinghorn and Cam Redpath.
Scotland team to face Wales
15. Stuart Hogg 14. Darcy Graham 13. Chris Harris 12. Sione Tuipulotu 11. Duhan van der Merwe 10. Finn Russell 9. Ali Price 1. Pierre Schoeman 2. Stuart McInally 3. WP Nel 4. Jonny Gray 5. Grant Gilchrist 6. Sam Skinner 7. Hamish Watson 8. Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16. George Turner 17. Rory Sutherland 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Magnus Bradbury 20. Rory Darge 21. Ben White 22. Blair Kinghorn 23. Cameron Redpath
