TOKYO, 20 Sep - Stuart McInally will captain Scotland on Sunday when they take on the world's No.1-ranked side, Ireland, in their Pool A match at International Stadium Yokohama.

The 29-year-old hooker, pictured above, was selected in the original 31-man squad four years ago, but never featured at Rugby World Cup 2015.

Elsewhere, coach Gregor Townsend has selected the more experienced Ryan Wilson at number eight with Blade Thomson on the bench. Allan Dell starts at loose-head prop over Gordon Reid, who is also among the replacements. 

Blindside flanker John Barclay will become the 14th Scotland player to play in three World Cups, having made his debut in 2007 and played in three games at RWC 2011. A third World Cup participation for Scotland puts Barclay on a par with the likes of Gavin Hastings, Scott Hastings, Ross Ford and Chris Paterson, to name four of the 13 players to have reached that level. Paterson is the only player among the previous 13 to eventually make a fourth World Cup participation.

Seven players that started in Scotland's quarter-final defeat against Australia at RWC 2015 will also start against Ireland.

Scotland

1. Allan Dell
2. Stuart McInally (capt.)
3. Willem Nel
4. Grant Gilchrist
5. Jonny Gray
6. John Barclay
7. Hamish Watson
8. Ryan Wilson
9. Greig Laidlaw
10. Finn Russell
11. Sean Maitland
12. Sam Johnson
13. Duncan Taylor
14. Tommy Seymour
15. Stuart Hogg

16. Fraser Brown
17. Gordon Reid
18. Simon Berghan
19. Scott Cummings
20. Blade Thomson
21. Ali Price
22. Chris Harris
23. Darcy Graham

RNS pp