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Jonny Gray among eight Scotland changes for Test against Wallabies

Jonny Gray Stu Forster/Getty Images

Star lock Jonny Gray returns in one of eight changes to Scotland's starting side to face Australia in Saturday's Test in Sydney.

The Scots will field an entirely new front-row and back three to those that started in last weekend's 34-13 victory over Italy in Singapore. Gray's inclusion is the most significant change in a strengthened team.

Anticipating a high-tempo game with lots of ball movement from the Wallabies, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said the 23-year-old's defence would be critical at Allianz Stadium.

A controversial omission from the British & Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand, Gray is famous for attempting 85 tackles in one Six Nations campaign - and missing just one. Townsend admits he deliberately kept Gray fresh for the Wallabies, who ran in five tries in their season-opening 34-12 win over Fiji last Saturday in Melbourne.

"We've managed him for a reason to make sure he's ready to go for this game," Townsend said on Thursday. "He's been a key player for Scotland the last two or three seasons. He's in great form. He can't wait to play."

Townsend said he always planned to field a vastly different line-up against the Wallabies.

"We were always keen on this tour (to ensure) that players who were close to selection got an opportunity," he said. "A few of them got an opportunity last week and some do this week.

"When you put a squad together, firstly you're putting together a team that you believe can win the game. On a tour, there's other considerations. You want to see which players are up for Test level and we want to give them the opportunity. It's obviously after them after that."

Scotland: Greig Tonks, Lee Jones, Alex Dunbar, Duncan Taylor, Rory Hughes, Finn Russell, Ali Price, Hamish Watson, John Barclay, Jonny Gray, Ben Toolis, Zander Fagerson, Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid. Reserves: Ross Ford, Allan Dell, Willem Nel, Tim Swinson, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Ruaridh Jackson, Matt Scott.