James will win his 44th cap, and comes in to the side after
Gethin Jenkins failed to recover from a calf injury picked up in the victory to
Italy.
Jones and Warburton, who both featured from the bench in
Rome after recovering from injuries, start in the second row and at openside
flanker in place of Justin Tipuric and Andrew Coombs respectively.
Ryan Jones will again captain the side and will line up in
the back-row alongside Warburton and Toby Faletau at No 8.
Alun Wyn Jones comes into the second row to partner regional
team-mate Ian Evans, and in the front row, James comes in to play alongside
Ospreys duo Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones.
The sides go into Saturday’s match level on points with two
victories apiece, and the visitors will be looking for their fifth successive
away victory in the tournament, a feat they have never achieved before.
For the fourth match running, interim head coach Rob Howley
has named an unchanged back line. Mike Phillip will continue his partnership at
half-back with Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar, with Jamie Roberts and Jonathan
Davies in the centre.
Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert and George North make up the
back three.
“We have had two good, hard fought away victories but we
know will have to be at our best again to come away from Murrayfield with the
result,” said Wales interim head coach Rob Howley. “It’s disappointing for
Gethin to miss out, but Paul has impressed and made an impact in each game he
has played.
“We are bringing in a wealth of experience with Alun Wyn and
Sam, and they both performed well off the bench in Rome. Ryan has led the team
to two wins and deserves to captain the side against Scotland.
“We have spoken a lot about momentum in this tournament and
we go into the game with two wins under our belt, but Scotland are in the same
position and it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan
Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James,
Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (capt), Sam
Warburton, Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Scott Andrews, Ryan Bevington,
Andrew Coombs, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Sean Lamont,
Matt Scott, Tim Visser, Duncan Weir, Greig Laidlaw; Ryan Grant, Ross Ford, Euan
Murray, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Robert Harley, Kelly Brown, Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Moray Low, Geoff Cross,
Alastair Kellock, Ryan Wilson, Henry Pyrgos, Ruaridh Jackson, Max Evans.
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