Scotland coach Scott Johnson has recalled captain Kelly Brown for Saturday's clash with France at Murrayfield.

The other changes see Geoff Cross rewarded for a good contribution off the bench in the 21-20 win against Italy with the starting berth at tighthead prop, and David Denton enlisted for the back row in place of Ryan Wilson who has been laid low by a tonsillitis bug over the last few days. Brown starts instead of Chris Fusaro.

The back division is unchanged from that which started the game in Rome, while on the bench, Euan Murray, the 58-times capped prop, returns to the squad after missing the first three games of the tournament due to injury.

'I think Saturday is a game that will really suit Kelly,' said Johnson. 'Unlike other sides in the competition, France play above the ground a bit and there will be a lot of mauling. I think the pitch suits Kelly too and I've picked a side that can win the game and that's most important.'

Scotland – 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Dave Denton, 7 Kelly Brown (c), 6 Johnnie Beattie, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Ryan Grant.
Subs: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Al Dickinson, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Taylor, 23 Max Evans.

Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images