The newly-appointed coach has included three new caps in his side that take on Wales in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Scrum-half Chris Cusiter, openside flanker Allister Hogg, both 21 and centre Tom Philip, 20, will all start.
“The three of them deserve this chance,” said head coach Matt Williams. “They have done very well since the World Cup.
“A lot of players have retired since then and I have had to build a new side and I have confidence in these guys.”
Andrew Henderson is chosen on the wing and Brendan Laney returns after failing to make the World Cup squad.
Chris Paterson will skipper the side for the first time and will start in his preferred stand-off position. Late World Cup call-up Cameron Mather is chosen at blindside flank ahead of Jason White, who is among the replacements.
“We have lost captains in Budge Pountney and Bryan (Redpath) – the country has had a major loss of personnel,” continued Williams.
“We had to bring new players in and it was essential we brought youth in. These guys have come through a very good system.
“I said we want to have Scottish players playing in Scotland and it’s very important we help those guys and give them time.
“These guys have had success for their pro teams. Edinburgh had success in the Heineken Cup and this is a step up.”
In the backs Ben Hinshelwood and Simon Danielli will both be making their first appearances in the championship.
Nathan Hines and Derick Lee are not in the 22-man playing pool but will travel to Cardiff.
Scotland: Ben Hinshelwood (Worcester); Simon Danielli (Bath), Tom Philip (Edinburgh), Brendan Laney (Edinburgh), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow); Chris Paterson (Edinburgh, captain), Chris Cusiter (Borders); Tom Smith (Northampton), Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow), Bruce Douglas (Borders), Scott Murray (Edinburgh), Stuart Grimes (Newcastle), Cameron Mather (Glasgow), Simon Taylor (Edinburgh), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh).
Replacements: Rob Russell (Saracens), Gavin Kerr (Leeds), Jason White (Sale), Simon Cross (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Dan Parks (Glasgow), Simon Webster (Edinburgh).
