Edinburgh prop Geoff Cross comes in for Murray and will make his international debut against the reigning Grand Slam champions. Perpignan lock Nathan Hines (knee) is also injured, meaning Sale's Jason White - nominally a flanker - will start in the second row.

There is no place in the side for record points-scorer Chris Paterson, who is on the bench. Edinburgh team-mate Hugo Southwell starts at full-back instead. Simon Webster keeps his place on the right wing, with Glasgow's Thom Evans not even making the 22.

Head coach Frank Hadden said: "I have been referring recently to the growing strength in depth of the Scotland squad. The quality of the side we've chosen to play Wales is an excellent example of that."

Of Murray and Hines' unavailability, team doctor James Robson said: "They continue to make slow but steady progress. It's too early at this stage to give an accurate prognosis of whether they will be available for selection next week."

SCOTLAND TEAM TO PLAY WALES
Six Nations
Murrayfield
Sunday, February 8th, 2009
Kick off 3pm
15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)
14 Simon Webster (Edinburgh)
13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh)
12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints)
10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh)*
4 Jason White (Sale Sharks)
5 Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh)
6 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors)

Substitutes
16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)
18 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
19 Scott Gray (Northampton Saints)
20 Chris Cusiter (Perpignan)
21 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)
22 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors)
* = New cap