Scotland name team to face Italy in Six Nations finale
The experienced hooker replaces Fraser Brown in the only change to the starting side which was lost 61-21 to England.
It will be Ford’s first start of the tournament. Brown, who was yellow-carded in the early minutes of the defeat at Twickenham, drops to the bench.
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Hide AdThe only other change sees centre Matt Scott replacing the injured Mark Bennett on the bench.
The other casualties from a bruising encounter at Twickenham have all recovered and retain their places in the squad.
Scotland are seeking to end their Six Nations campaign on a high following the disappointment of defeat by England.
A victory over Italy would given them three wins in a season in the Championship for the first time since 2006.
Scotland team to play Italy at BT Murrayfield, RBS 6 Nations
Saturday 18 March (kick-off 12.30pm) – live on BBC
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 52 caps; 16 tries, 3 pens, 89 points
14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps; 15 tries, 75 points
13. Huw Jones (Stormers) – 7 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
12. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps; 6 tries, 30 points
11. Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 30 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
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Hide Ad10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps; 2 tries, 8 cons, 8 pens, 50 points
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
1. Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps; 1 try, 5 points
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 106 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
4. Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 64 caps; 3 tries, 15 points
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
6. John Barclay CAPTAIN (Scarlets) – 59 caps; 4 tries, 20 points
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps; 1 try, 5 points
8. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps
Substitutes:
16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps
17. Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 cap
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps; 1 try, 5 points
20. Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
21. Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps; 4 tries, 3 pens, 29 points
22. Duncan Weir (Edinburgh Rugby) – 26 caps; 2 tries, 7 cons, 10 pens, 1 drop, 57 points
23. Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 36 caps; 4 tries, 20 points