Geoff Cross will make his Scotland debut against defending Six Nations champion Wales at Murrayfield on Sunday after tighthead prop Euan Murray failed to recover from a rib injury.

"Geoff first joined the squad during our tour of Argentina last year and we have every confidence in him," Scotland coach Frank Hadden said on Wednesday.

"Having waited patiently through five games, it's great that he now has this opportunity."

With lock Nathan Hines also sidelined with a knee injury, Jason White will start in the second row, although he usually plays as a flanker.

Backs Rory Lamont and Nikki Walker are also missing through injury, while outside centre Ben Cairns makes his first appearance in the championship having been given his debut during the tour of Argentina.

"I have been referring recently to the growing strength in depth of the Scotland squad," Hadden said.

"The quality of the side we've chosen to play Wales is an excellent example of that."

Scotland: Hugo Southwell, Simon Webster, Ben Cairns, Graeme Morrison, Sean Lamont, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (capt), Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Jason White, Jim Hamilton, Allister Hogg, Simon Taylor, John Barclay. Res: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Kelly Brown, Scott Gray, Chris Cusiter, Chris Paterson, Max Evans.

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