Jason White, as expected, has been fast-tracked back into the Scotland side to face New Zealand on Saturday, despite playing a predominantly walk-on part for Sale Sharks this season after recovering from injury. The recall of the former captain is one of seven changes to the team that won the second match against Argentina in Buenos Aires in June but White's selection, by his own admittance, is down to some fast talking.

White, 30, had two summer operations to cure knee and shoulder niggles and his only starts for Sale this season have been in three EDF Energy Cup matches last month. As a result, Frank Hadden, the Scotland head coach, was minded not to include him in the 30-man training squad that spent five days at La Manga last week. Hadden telephoned White, who has won 67 caps, to let him know his thoughts but by the end of the conversation the player had eloquently stated his case for inclusion. “I said I was getting back to form, was fit and felt I still had a lot to offer,” White said yesterday.

Hadden was persuaded, White went to Spain and showed enough of the old devil in training to ensure he is back in the starting side for the first time since March. It is a sign of the strength of Scotland's back-row resources that neither Alasdair Strokosch nor Ally Hogg make the 22. Simon Taylor, another 60-cap veteran who has suffered from a catalogue of injuries, returns at No8 after reigniting his career at Stade Français.

In a back division full of genuine potential, Chris Paterson starts at full back with Phil Godman at fly half. Nick de Luca earns a recall at centre, where he partners Ben Cairns. Thom Evans, the livewire former London Wasps wing who has been scoring tries almost for fun for Glasgow, wins his second cap and his first at Murrayfield.

“It is a pack based on everything we have said from day one - set-piece ability, decision-making ability, accuracy, intensity and physicality, and a guarantee that they are capable defenders. We are trying to create a platform to disturb and fracture opposition set-piece ball and produce a platform that we can attack from.”

New Zealand have made 12 changes from the side that beat Australia in the Bledisloe Cup in Hong Kong on Saturday. Riche McCaw and Dan Carter start on the bench with Stephen Donald at fly half, despite his indifferent first half against the Wallabies.

There are three new caps in the pack, Jamie Mackintosh the Southland prop, and Liam Messam and Kieran Read in the back row. Keven Mealamu is captain.

Graham Henry, the All Black head coach, played down suggestions that it was an experimental side. “We have five consecutive Test matches [to play on tour],” he said. “I don't think international players have the ability to play five big matches on end. It is a matter of balance and keeping guys fresh. We want to try to keep our heads above water, that is part of our selection thinking. Look at the number of provincial captains in the team, including six in the pack alone. It is an exciting combination.”

Henry bristled at suggestions that, with World Cup ranking points at stake, Scotland might have more to play for. “I know what is it like when we lose. The sharpest knives are very, very sharp,” he said. “We always play the best we can. The team takes it seriously, New Zealand rugby takes it seriously.”

Scotland: C Paterson (Edinburgh); T Evans (Glasgow), B Cairns (Edinburgh), N de Luca (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Northampton); P Godman (Edinburgh), M Blair (Edinburgh); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton), N Hines (Perpignan), J Hamilton (Edinburgh), J White (Sale Sharks), S Taylor (Stade Français), J Barclay (Glasgow). Replacements: D Hall (Glasgow), A Dickinson (Gloucester), M Mustchin (Edinburgh), S Gray (Northampton), R Lawson (Gloucester) or M McMillan (Glasgow), D Parks (Glasgow), H Southwell (Edinburgh).

New Zealand: I Toeava; A Tuitavake, R Kahui, M Nonu, J Rokocoko; S Donald, P Weepu; J Mackintosh, K Mealamu, J Afoa, A Boric, A Williams, K Read, A Thomson, L Meesam. Replacements: C Flynn, N Tialata, R Filipo, R McCaw, A Ellis, D Carter, C Jane.