SCARLETS flanker John Barclay will captain Scotland against Wales in the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 30-year-old will lead out the hosts in Edinburgh (kick-off 2.25pm) in the absence of scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, whose Championship is over after suffering an ankle injury in the round two defeat in France.

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter, said: “John has played a vital role in our leadership group and has led by example throughout this and previous campaigns.

“It was disappointing to lose Greig however we continue to develop a system of shared leadership in this squad, which has supported this transition.

“It’ll be a proud moment for John and one which he thoroughly deserves.”

The absence of the injured Laidlaw prompts one of three injury-enforced changes to the side, with Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price set to make his first Scotland start.

Back-row Ryan Wilson has recovered from the elbow infection that kept him out of the France game and replaces the injured Josh Strauss (kidney).

Harlequins wing Tim Visser gets his first opportunity of the Championship as a straight swap for Sean Maitland, who has failed to recover sufficiently from the rib injury sustained representing Saracens last weekend.

A further two tactical changes see Gordon Reid and John Hardie get their first start of the campaign, trading places with their respective compatriots Allan Dell and Hamish Watson, who have been named on the bench after starting the opening two games.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tim Visser, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Alistair Price; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay, John Hardie, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Allan Dell, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Tim Swinson, Hamish Watson, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett.