Hodge came on as a replacement during the 16-6 defeat at the Stade de France but played a pivotal role in the victory over England last year and McGeechan will be looking for a similar performance this time.

Hodge’s elevation from the replacements’ bench for his 19th cap means that Glasgow Caledonians winger James Craig slips into the vacant substitute berth.

Injury has blighted Craig’s promising career and his only previous cap came against Australia four years ago.

However, McGeechan remained tight-lipped about whether Hodge will retain the goalkicking duties from Kenny Logan after the responsibility was taken off the Wasps winger at half-time in Paris.

McGeechan said: ‘‘You’ll find out on Saturday.

‘‘You ask these questions, but we’ve decided on the kicker and all we want is someone to put the ball between the posts when it matters.

‘‘They have been working well again. The important thing is that they just concentrate on their role. It’s about creating that platform because goal kicking is key.’’

McGeechan, despite the single enforced change, said there had been discussion over other possible alterations to the side.

He said: ‘‘There was a lot of discussion last week.

‘‘But what we did was to look at the performance in Paris individually and collectively and see which we could build on.

‘‘They did a lot of things well and this continuity and understanding is key to improving our performance.’’

Edinburgh Reivers’ Steve Scott is named as replacement hooker following the withdrawals of Robert Russell and Steve Brotherstone earlier this week, with Gordon Bulloch joining Tom Smith and Mattie Stewart in an unchanged front row.

The Scots went down 26-18 in Cardiff last year, their fourth successive Six Nations defeat.

But they will fancy their chances of avenging that reverse by repeating their triumph of two years ago, when Kiwi centre John Leslie smashed a world record by racing in for a try after just eight seconds.

Wales were hammered by England a fortnight ago, increasing Scottish confidence, even though two of Scotland’s three successes in their last 11 games have come against Samoa and the United States.

Scotland team to face Wales in Saturday’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations international at Murrayfield (4pm).

C Paterson (Edinburgh Reivers), C Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), J McLaren (Glasgow Caledonians), J Leslie (Northampton), K Logan (Wasps), D Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), A Nicol (Glasgow Caledonians, cpt), T Smith (Brive), G Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), M Stewart (Northampton), S Murray (Saracens), R Metcalfe (Edinburgh Reivers), M Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), B Pountney (Northampton), J Petrie (Glasgow Caledonians). Replacements: Steve Scott (Edinburgh Reivers), G McIlwham (Glasgow Caledonians), S Grimes (Newcastle), J White (Glasgow Caledonians), A Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), B Redpath (Sale), J Craig (Glasgow Caledonians).