Key backs Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg have both been passed fit for Scotland's crucial Rugby World Cup Pool B contest against Samoa in Newcastle on Saturday.

Fly-half Russell missed the Scots' 34-16 defeat to South Africa last weekend, while full-back Hogg hobbled off injured against the Springboks.

Both men are fit enough to start against the Samoans as Vern Cotter makes seven changes to his starting XV.

Flanker John Hardie will feature for the first time since Scotland's opening match of the tournament, while hooker Ross Ford and centre Matt Scott have overcome concussions they sustained against South Africa.

Scotland currently lie second and are on course to face the winner of Saturday's Pool A showdown between Australia and Wales in the quarter-finals, but they could miss out on the last eight if they fail to win and open the door for Japan, who are up against group minnows USA in their final group game.

Scotland: Dickinson, Ford, Nel; R. Gray, J. Gray; Wilson, Hardie; Denton; Laidlaw, Russell, Seymour, Scott, Bennett, Maitland, Hogg
Replacements: Brown, Reid, Welsh, Swinson, Strauss, Pyrgos, Horne, Lamont