SCOTLAND head coach Gregor Townsend said yesterday that Chris Harris has earned his place in the starting line-up of their Six Nations opener in Cardiff.

Harris will make his first start for Scotland against Wales after Townsend named the Newcastle man at outside centre, where he will partner Huw Jones.

Former captain Greig Laidlaw has been named on the bench, with Ali Price preferred at scrum-half after an impressive showing in the autumn internationals, while Jon Walsh and Gordon Reid are recalled following a number of front-row injuries.