Hugh Blake granted first Scotland start against Ireland

Scotland coach Vern Cotter has confirmed that Hugh Blake will make his international debut against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

The Edinburgh back-row, 22, was an unused squad member during the 2015 Six Nations.

Scrum-­half Henry Pyrgos will captain the Scots at the Aviva Stadium, while Sean Lamont, Tim Visser and Blair Cowan are also in the starting XV.

Ross Ford, Gordon Reid and Sam Hidalgo-­Clyne are among the replacements.

Scotland: Jackson, Lamont, Vernon, Horne, Visser, Tonks, Pyrgos, Grant, Brown, Welsh, Hamilton, Gilchrist, Cowan, Blake, Denton Replacements: Ford, Reid, Cusack, Harley, Barclay, Hidalgo-Clyne, Weir, Scott