London (AFP) - Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was the only player to keep his place in the starting team as coach Gregor Townsend made 14 changes for Sunday’s Autumn Nations Series clash with Tonga at Murrayfield.

Townsend has opted for a wholesale revamp following last week’s painful 33-24 loss at home to Argentina, when Scotland squandered a 21-0 lead with just over a quarter of the game remaining.

Zander Fagerson will make his first appearance in more than seven months after being selected to start Scotland’s final match of their November campaign.

The Glasgow prop has been sidelined since April due to calf and knee injuries but will be a member of an experienced front row alongside Rory Sutherland and hooker George Turner, who will win his 50th cap.

In the backs, record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe returns on the wing after being dropped for the past two Tests.

Kyle Rowe is on the other wing, with full-back Tom Jordan completing the back three.

Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke will win his third cap in place of Finn Russell, who drops out of the matchday 23 completely.

Magnus Bradbury makes his first Scotland start for over three years at No 8, with flankers Andy Onyeama-Christie and Jamie Ritchie coming into the side.

Scotland are ninth in the world rankings, 10 places above Tonga, meaning victory over the Pacific islanders is unlikely to quieten the growing debate over the long-serving Townsend’s future as Scotland boss.

Meanwhile, dual national Sitaleki Timani, will become the oldest debutant to play for one of the leading rugby nations should he come off the bench at Murrayfield.

The lock, who won 18 caps for Australia from 2011-13, is 39-years-old.

He is now set for his first appearance for Tonga, the country of his birth, after being named among the islanders’ replacements, with 34-year-old giant prop Ben Tameifuna captaining the side.

Scotland began their autumn campaign with an 85-0 rout of rugby minnows the United States but defeats by New Zealand and Argentina again exposed their inability to close out wins.

Teams (15-1)

Scotland

Tom Jordan; Kyle Rowe, Ollie Smith, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Duhan van der Merwe; Fergus Burke, Ben White; Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Ritchie, Andy Onyeama-Christie; Max Williamson, Alex Samuel; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Rory Sutherland

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Nathan McBeth, Will Hurd, Marshall Sykes, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Steyn

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

Tonga

William Havili; Taniela Filimone, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, John Tapueluelu1; Patrick Pellegrini, Sonatane Takulua; Lotu Inisi, Siosiua Moala, Semisi Paea; Veikoso Poloniati, Harison Mataele; Ben Tameifuna (capt), Siua Maile, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Fatongia Paea, Phillip Kite, Sitaleki Timani, Fotu Lokotui, Aisea Halo, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo Tuitavuki

Coach: Tevita Tuʻifua (TGA)