MUSSELBURGH rugby star Huw Jones will start Scotland's NatWest Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. 

Jones, who grew up in the Honest Toun, shifts from his regular spot at outside centre to take the number 12 jersey, and is partnered by Newcastle Falcons' Chris Harris, making his first Test start, in midfield.

Jones will win his 12th cap, but the first from inside centre, having lined up in the number 13 jersey for all his previous 10 starts after coming off the bench to debut in Japan in 2016.

The Honest Toun ace is used to the role, though. He regularly wore the number 12 shirt during his spell with South African side The Stormers and Western Province. 

Indeed, Jones (pictured below taking on Wales at BT Murrayfield last season. Pic Alastair Ross/Novantae Photography) wore the number 12 shirt for nine of 10 games he played as he helped Western Province win the 2017 Currie Cup in South Africa. 

East Lothian Courier:

Elsewhere, John Barclay captains the side from the blindside flank, and is one of 11 Scarlets players on show; Wales having picked 10 of Barclay's club-mates in their squad. 

Edinburgh prop Murray McCallum could make his international debut from the bench, where Ryan Wilson and Greig Laidlaw are named after overcoming injuries. 

See the team in a tweet below. . . 

Gregor Townsend, Scotland head coach, said: “We’re expecting a really physical game against a very good team. Wales have one of the best defences in the game and an attack that sees forwards passing much more and a structure that enables backs to get on the ball.

“We’ve selected a squad that we believe can start the NatWest 6 Nations championship with the intensity and speed required to win in Cardiff.

“I’m sure it’ll be great occasion to kick off this year’s championship and we can’t wait to get started.”

The game kicks off at 2.15pm on Saturday, opening this year's Championship, and is live on the BBC.