Scotland v NZ: Teams

Scotland winger Sean Lamont will be out to repay Frank Hadden for his faith in him after being selected to take on the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Northampton star will appear in his first international in more than a year, after a major knee injury left him on the sidelines.

And having got the nod over Nikki Walker, Simon Webster and Simon Danielli to the No.11 shirt, Lamont is determined to make the most of his chance.

"It's a good mixture of some more experienced players and fresh blood. It is a pretty exciting backline - it should be good," said Lamont.

"Thom Evans is pretty quick and has been on fire for Glasgow this season, while Nick De Luca is back in the fold and is a very good player. He didn't do so well the first time but that was his first cap and he was under a lot of pressure - I'm sure he will bounce back.

"It has been frustrating being away but I'm just glad to be back and playing. Seeing the guys play in the Six Nations and go off on tour was tough - but that's over now and its time for me to make up for lost time.

"With Nikki Walker, Thom Evans, Simon Webster and Simon Danielli there is plenty of competition for places on the wing, so I'm delighted that I have been given a chance. Now I have to repay Frank [Hadden] for the opportunity he has given me."

As well as the return of Lamont, Hadden also includes experienced forward trio Nathan Hines, Jason White and Simon Taylor.

But number eight Taylor was unable to take part in Scotland's final training session, leading to a call-up for 45-cap veteran Allister Hogg.

Hogg has been added as cover for Taylor, who is being assessed by physios after suffering a calf strain.

Experience

And it is the selection in the pack that has caught the eyes of the New Zealand team, with assistant coach Wayne Smith expecting Scotland to attack them upfront at Murrayfield.

"They've got a big pack with a lot of experience, and they're obviously looking to put heat on us in that area," said Smith.

"They're obviously going to try to do the business up front first.

"There is no doubt that it will be a challenge on Saturday. Every team on this tour will be good, professionally coached and out to beat us. It's another opportunity for these guys to pull on the jersey and play proudly for New Zealand. You have to be at the top of your game every time you do that."

New Zealand could certainly be under pressure in the forwards, especially with prop Jamie Mackintosh and loose forwards Kieran Read and Liam Messam set to make their debut.

Coach Graham Henry only retains Isaia Toeava, Stephen Donald and Ali Williams from the starting XV that beat Australia 19-14 in Hong Kong.

That means Keven Mealamu, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu are among the players rewarded with starting roles in Edinburgh.

Scotland: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Thom Evans, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 Nick De Luca, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Phil Goodman, 9 Mike Blair (c), 8 Simon Taylor (Allister Hogg), 7 John Barclay, 6 Jason White, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobson.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Matt Mustchin, 19 Scott Gray, 20 Rory Lawson/Mark McMillan, 21 Dan Parks, 22 Hugo Southwell.

New Zealand: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Riche McCaw, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Daniel Carter, 22 Cory Jane.