Lang takes centre stage as Jackson returns at 10

HARLEQUINS playmaker James Lang and Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie were set to make their make Scotland debuts in their first summer Test against Canada last night.

Two other players – Edinburgh lock Lewis Carmichael and Glasgow Warriors fly-half Adam Hastings – could also win first caps from the bench.

With tour captain Stuart McInally injured, Edinburgh team-mate Grant Gilchrist skippers the side.

Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson and hooker Fraser Brown were names as vicecaptains.

Lang, 23, normally a flyhalf in his outings at Quins, will start at inside centre, alongside Chris Harris, who features for the first time since his full debut against Wales in this year’s Six Nations.

Jackson, who played all his rugby at full-back for Glasgow last season, starts a Test at fly-half for the first time since the Japan tour two years ago.

He will form a half-back partnership with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who makes only his second Test start having won his last cap in February 2016. Edinburgh prop Allan Dell also returns for the first time since last summer’s tour of Australia, after a lengthy spell out through injury.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “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.”

Canada are up for the challenge according to coach Kingsley Jones.

“It’s a great match for us,” he said. “Sixth in the world is obviously a very big challenge for us, but that’s why you get involved in this sport, to challenge yourself against the best.

“We’re going into it with everything to gain and not a lot to lose, really, as long as we perform well.”

Jones believes Canada can climb from its current spot at 21 in the world, adding: “I think 16 is where we have to strive to get to. I was lucky enough to coach Russia at 18, we play them next week and it will be a measure of where we are.”