Team News: Dan Carter to start New Zealand's Test against Scotland

Dan Carter will start his first Test in almost a year this weekend when New Zealand take on Scotland.

The fly-half has missed the last six months after recovering from a broken leg, last starting a game for the Kiwis 12 months ago against England when he won his 100th Test cap.

Having made an appearance from the replacements' bench against the United States two weeks ago, Carter was left out of the world champions' squad for last weekend's victory at Twickenham, but will play a big role on Saturday afternoon as he continues on his road to recovery.

Elsewhere, captain Richie McCaw will be fielded as a blindside flanker for the first time with coach Steve Hansen giving understudy Sam Cane some valuable game time.

James Parsons will also make his Test debut at Murrayfield in an experimental-looking side, while Sonny Bill Williams is among the replacements.

New Zealand team in full:

Starting XV: 15-Ben Smith, 14-Colin Slade, 13-Malakai Fekitoa, 12-Ryan Crotty, 11-Charles Piutau, 10-Daniel Carter, 9-TJ Perenara, 8-Victor Vito, 7-Sam Cane, 6-Richie McCaw (captain), 5-Dominic Bird, 4-Jeremy Thrush, 3-Charlie Faumuina, 2-James Parsons, 1-Joe Moody

Replacements: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Wyatt Crockett, 18-Ben Franks, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Liam Messam, 21-Augustine Pulu, 22-Sonny Bill Williams, 23-Julian Savea