EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) Flanker Kelly Brown is back to lead Scotland against Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Brown hurt ankle ligaments in a loss to Samoa in South Africa in June, forcing him home after the first match of Scotland's tour. He was out for more than three monthsuntil late September.
He's one of eight changes, two positional, on Tuesday following the Scots' last match, a 30-29 win over Italy in Pretoria in June.
Also back are Sean Maitland, the British Lions winger at fullback, hooker Ross Ford, loosehead prop Ryan Grant, flyhalf Ruaridh Jackson, and center Nick De Luca, who last appeared a year ago before a broken eye socket cost him the Six Nations.
David Denton and Alasdair Strokosch have moved to their accustomed loose forward spots.
Glasgow lock Tim Swinson and winger Tommy Seymour will make their first appearances at Murrayfield, after receiving two caps in June.
"We are looking to the future and we're also looking at people's futures, too," coach Scott Johnson said.
"This selection is a first chance for some to put their hand up. We have a 22-months campaign pre-World Cup and one of the mantras is this could be your last test match. It's not a right to play for your country. You have to go out there and perform."
Scotland has won all three previous tests with Japan, but this will be their first meeting in nine years.
"Japan are well-coached, have a great work ethic and really good knowledge of rugby now," Johnson said.
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Scotland: Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Nick De Luca, Matt Scott, Sean Lamont, Ruaridh Jackson, Greig Laidlaw; David Denton, Kelly Brown (captain), Alasdair Strokosch, Alastair Kellock ,Tim Swinson, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Ryan Grant. Reserves: Pat MacArthur, Alasdair Dickinson, Geoff Cross, Richie Gray, John Barclay, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Duncan Taylor.
