Mark Bennett has returned to the starting lineup for Scotland's Six Nations opener against France on Saturday.

The centre missed his nation's 37-12 victory over Tonga in the final Autumn Test in November with a hamstring injury, but will make his championship debut at the weekend.

Stand-off Finn Russell and back-row Blair Cowan will also make their tournament debuts, while Euan Murray will replace Geoff Cross at tight-head prop in the starting team.

Captain Greig Laidlaw, who is one point away from clinching 300 for Scotland, will start alongside Russell in their fifth Test together.

Scotland team to face France:

Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan (London Irish), Johnnie Beattie (Castres)

Replacements:
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (London Irish), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Alasdair Strokosch (USA Perpignan), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby)