The 23-year-old, who scored his first senior Scotland try in last weekend's defeat to Queensland, was preferred on the wing to Bath's Simon Danielli in a side that includes six changes from Scotland's last Test, a 37-16 defeat to Ireland in March.

In the backs, Leeds' Gordon Ross has been reinstated at fly-half and Ben Hinshelwood will start in the centres in place of Tom Philip, who has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will be the fourth player to head home from the tour.

Hinshelwood had been set to feature among the replacements in Wednesday's game against NSW Country but was pulled out of the squad late on Tuesday night.

Up front, Simon Taylor's injury means 21-year-old Allister Hogg switches to number eight with Donnie MacFadyen winning his third cap at openside flanker. Prop Tom Smith returns from injury to the front row.

Uncapped winger Hugo Southwell has been included among the replacements along with scrum-half Mike Blair, who has been nursing a shoulder injury since the Queensland game, and fly-half Daniel Parks.

Lamont made such an impact in his first season at Glasgow, following his summer move from Rotherham, that he was named player of the year at Hughenden.

Lamont's rise to the Test team was just the kind of development coach Matt Williams hoped would come from bringing such a young and inexperienced group of players on tour.

"Sean has been in very good form for Glasgow, he has won a lot of awards there this season, and had a very good game against high quality opposition with Queensland,'' said Williams.

"He has earned his place in the side. He has been in our squads from the Italy game on in the RBS 6 Nations. We have tried to edge him into the side.''

Williams had consoling words for Philip, who injured his knee in a seemingly innocuous collision with Parks during Sunday's beach training session.

There appeared to be nothing wrong initially but consultation with a specialist and a subsequent scan showed he had picked up a rare form of knee injury, which involved rupturing the ligament but not damaging its protective "capsule".

Philip had been walking pain-free around the hotel and was expecting to play before the Brisbane specialist - who treated Andrew Mower at the World Cup last year - advised he would require a full knee reconstruction.

"Tom suffered a freakish accident at training and is returning to Scotland for a knee reconstruction. We are very sorry for Tom, he is only 20 and a very promising player,'' said Williams.

"He had no swelling, no pain and full movement. he couldn't believe it when they said he had to have a reconstruction. It is a highly unusual injury.''

Philip becomes the fourth player to leave the tour and Scotland doctor James Robson described it as one of the busiest weeks he has experienced as far as major injuries go.

Cameron Mather left the camp this week with a badly twisted ankle, Robbie Kydd had an operation on Tuesday to have a plate inserted just below his left eye after suffering a fractured cheekbone and Euan Murray failed to shake off a thigh injury he started the tour with.

"We have had a particularly challenging week,'' said Williams.

"If you consider one game before the tour it was Simon Taylor as well so we have had four major injuries in three fixtures.''

The reasoning behind Ross' inclusion at fly-half was two-fold - Williams had been impressed by his form against Queensland and he adds ideal kicking cover for fullback Chris Paterson, who has also been hampered by injury this week.

"Gordon Ross had a strong game the other night. Chris Paterson has not been able to do much kicking with the pelvic injury and Gordon's kicking form has been good.
"It is a horses for courses selection,'' said Williams.

Scotland team to play Samoa in Wellington on Friday: C Paterson, S Lamont, B Hinshelwood, A Henderson, S Webster, G Ross, C Cusiter, T Smith, G Bulloch, B Douglas, S Grimes, S Murray (captain), J White, D MacFadyen, A Hogg.

Replacements: S Scott, C Smith, I Fullarton, J Petrie, M Blair, D Parks, H Southwell.