Gilchrist to captain Scots in Canada rugby Test

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend on Wednesday named Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist as captain for this weekend's opening Summer Tour Test match against Canada in Edmonton.

Gilchrist takes over as captain in the absence of injured hooker Stuart McInally, who has failed to recover from a calf injury.

Gilchrist will captain a side which includes two debutants -- fellow Edinburgh forward Jamie Ritchie at flanker, and Harlequins centre James Lang.

Ritchie will partner Edinburgh's Magnus Bradbury and Leicester Tigers' David Denton in the back-row.

Lang will form a centre pairing with Newcastle Falcons' Chris Harris.

Townsend said Scotland had enjoyed a smooth start to the opening match of their three-Test tour, which also includes games against the United States on June 16 and Argentina in Buenos Aires on June 23.

"The coaches and I have enjoyed working with the players this week in Vancouver and are pleased with how they have performed in training, getting through a lot of technical, tactical and conditioning work," Townsend said.

"We've now arrived in Edmonton where we will be putting the finishing touches on our preparation and aim to put a marker down at the beginning of this three-Test tour, against a side which has, historically, been a very tough side for Scotland over the years ? especially on home soil.

"A number of opportunities have been given to players to play their way into our thinking on this tour and beyond and we look forward to seeing them take to the field this Saturday."

Scotland team to play Canada at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton (15-1):

Blair Kinghorn; Lee Jones, Chris Harris, James Lang, Byron McGuigan; Ruaridh Jackson, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; David Denton, Jamie Ritchie, Magnus Bradbury; Grant Gilchrist (capt), Ben Toolis; Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Allan Dell

Replacements:

George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, Murray McCallum, Lewis Carmichael (Edinburgh), Luke Hamilton, Ali Price, Adam Hastings, Mark Bennett