Scotland have left skipper Ali Kellock out of the squad for Sunday’s crucial clash with Argentina.
The Glasgow Warriors lock doesn’t even make the bench for the Pool B encounter in Wellington.
Gloucester scrum-half Rory Lawson retains the captaincy with 2009 Lion Mike Blair among the replacements and 2005 tourist Chris Cusiter not required.
Head coach Andy Robinson has made five changes from the starting XV that battled past Georgia the Wednesday before last.
Ruaridh Jackson joins Lawson at halfback, with Dan Parks making way, while veteran goal kicker Chris Paterson takes over from Rory Lamont at full back.
With Lions prop Euan Murray unavailable due to his religious views which prevent him from playing on a Sunday, Geoff Cross comes in at tight-head prop.
Fellow Lion Nathan Hines is dropped to the bench in favour of Richie Gray, with John Barclay chosen ahead of Ross Rennie on the openside flank.
“I have picked a team to beat Argentina – the selection is simply about this match,” said Robinson, who knows that a repeat of last year’s series victory over the Pumas would secure qualification for the quarter-finals.
“We have met Argentina five times since the last Rugby World Cup so we both know each others’ styles and strengths.
“Of course we can draw confidence from our victories in Tucuman and Mar del Plata last year – just as Argentina will retain happy memories from their win at Murrayfield in 2009.
“I also believe that Argentina – as they have demonstrated already in the last two months – are a better team than we faced on their soil last year.”
If Scotland lose to Argentina, they would then need to beat England in their final group game on October 1 to have any chance of reaching the last eight.
Scotland (vs Argentina, Wellington, Sunday, 8.30am BST)
Chris Paterson; Max Evans, Nick De Luca, Graeme Morrison, Sean Lamont; Ruaridh Jackson, Rory Lawson (captain); Alan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Richie Gray, Jim Hamilton, Alasdair Strokosch, John Barclay, Kelly Brown
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Richie Vernon, Mike Blair, Dan Parks, Simon Danielli
NB Bold denotes Lion
