Wayne Pivac has named his Wales team to host Scotland on Saturday in the hopes of clinching their first win of the 2022 Six Nations.
Wales were humbled en route to a 29-7 defeat against Ireland in their first-round opener, but Pivac has made four changes in an effort to correct course in their first home game of the competition.
Josh Adams has been ruled out of Wales' second fixture of the tournament due to a calf strain and has been replaced by Ospreys centre Owen Watkin.
Despite Adams' sterling reputation as one of the best finishing wingers in Europe, the Cardiff talisman failed to impress in a makeshift midfield role and was sin-binned in defeat to Ireland.
Wales fans will be excited to see Jonathan Davies among the replacements, meanwhile, with the centre in line to earn his 100th Test cap (93 for Wales, six for the British and Irish Lions) when he comes off the bench.
Captain Dan Biggar will reach the same milestone (96 caps for Wales, three for the Lions) as he leads out the team once again, though he'll hope this outing as stand-in skipper leads to a better result than last week.
Another change in the backs has seen Alex Cuthbert recalled to the wing, replacing Scarlets utility Johnny McNicholl, who drops out of the matchday 23.
Thursday's team announcement also brought news that 22-year-old Jac Morgan will make a surprise debut as part of Pivac's starting XV, replacing Ellis Jenkins at blindside flanker.
That means Taine Basham will move to openside following his try-scoring Six Nations debut against Ireland, while Ross Moriarty is back in the XV and replaces Aaron Wainwright at No. 8.
"With Ross Moriarty now having had more training and game time under his belt we think he’s the right guy to start," said Pivac following Wednesday's team announcement.
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"Jac Morgan comes in for his debut. He’s someone that’s really impressed us in training. He’s worked very, very hard, he gives us a lot of physicality and he’s very good over the ball.
"We expect Scotland to come down full of confidence. They’ve started with a good win. Across the board they are very competitive and committed side that throws everything at every play. We know that’s going to be tough work for us and a big challenge that we’re looking forward to and are up for.
"Really excited about getting out in front of a full house at Principality Stadium for our first home match of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations. There is nothing better."
Scotland are hoping to beat Wales in their own capital for the first time in almost 20 years, having last collected victory in Cardiff back in April 2002.
Townsend was himself part of that team that stunned the Welsh in front of their own fans, targeting a repeat as head coach almost two decades later.
The visitors have made five changes to the team that defeated England 20-17 at Murrayfield last Saturday, including an entirely new front row.
Sam Skinner has also replaced the injured Jamie Ritchie at blindside flanker, while Sione Tuipulotu comes in at inside centre in place of Sam Johnson.
Saturday's fixture will open the second round of this year's Six Nations and is scheduled to get underway at 2.15pm.
Wales team vs. Scotland
(Backs) Liam Williams; Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit; Dan Biggar (capt), Tomos Williams; (Forwards) Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Adam Beard; Taine Basham, Jac Morgan, Ross Moriarty
Reps: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Jonathan Davies
