The Dumfries-born centre was handed his first cap by Scotland coach Frank Hadden for the RBS 6 Nations opener against France at Murrayfield.

But after a week of hype and praise, de Luca failed to produce the form which has made him one of Edinburgh's star performers this season.

With several injuries among Scotland's backs, he kept his place for the game against Wales the following week, but the return to fitness of Simon Webster and Rory Lamont saw de Luca dropped to the bench for last Saturday's defeat in Ireland.

Now de Luca will line up alongside Ben Cairns against the Welsh side in a bid to regain his swagger ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash on March 8.

Phil Godman - yet to feature in match-day 22 for Scotland this season - starts at stand-off while Ross Rennie, who made his debut as a replacement against Ireland, plays on the openside.

Mike Blair, Ally Hogg, Webster, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen and Hugo Southwell are all rested against the Dragons, having played against Ireland at Croke Park.