Andy Robinson has claimed making changes to the Scotland side who secured a victory over Australia merely highlighted the competition for places.

Robinson this afternoon drafted in three players to his starting XV for Saturday's final autumn international against Argentina, handing a debut to Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald, as well as recalling Ben Cairns and Thom Evans.

MacDonald, 24, will start in place of John Barclay, who is rested following his awesome defensive efforts against Fiji and the Wallabies.

MacDonald, Cairns and Evans have all been rewarded for their performances for the A team in Friday night's win over Tonga.

Robinson said he wanted to inject some pace into his back line but it is surely no coincidence Graeme Morrison and Simon Danielli are the men to miss out after both struggled to impress against Australia.

Robinson, looking to become the first Scotland boss to mastermind a hat-trick of autumn international wins since 2002, told Press Association Sport: "There is real competition for places and it would have been very easy for me to put another XV out.

"But I thought it was right to just make a couple of subtle changes and I think that really helped the team moving forward."

It was telling Robinson singled out Glasgow flanker Barclay as missing out simply due to his recent exertions.

The head coach said: "I saw this as an opportunity to give Alan MacDonald a start. One, because he's been playing well for the A team, but also because of how John has performed - he has done well - and the punishment that he has taken."

Robinson revealed Cairns would have been in contention to start the opening November Test against Fiji had he not been struggling with a knee injury.

The Edinburgh star will earn his seventh cap at outside centre, with Alex Grove switching to the inside berth.

"In the back line, I just wanted to freshen it up a little bit with a bit of pace," Robinson said.

"Thom Evans brings that; he's the quickest player in the team.

"Ben Cairns has been playing well at 13, potentially would have started if he'd have been fit.

"He's got his fitness back, played in the A team game and did well.

"Alex has been the stand-out performer in the back line and he's really held the back line together with his defence, so we're looking at him playing at 12."

Chris Cusiter has recovered from the head knock that forced him off after 20 minutes against Australia, but co-captain Mike Blair is again ruled out with an ankle injury.

Robinson allowed himself and his players to celebrate Saturday's incredible 9-8 victory - Scotland's first over the Wallabies for 27 years - in a manner befitting the magnitude of the result.

"The players enjoyed themselves, as the management team did," he said.

"I think everybody kept their feet on the ground as well.

"Certainly, in the dressing room, there was great joy, but also understanding and appreciation of the hard work that had been put in.

"The players were really looking forward to playing against Argentina."

And he warned his players not to take anything for granted against opponents who have lost both their tour matches so far, against England and Wales.

After watching his side concede three-quarters of the possession and make more than 200 tackles against Australia, he said: "We've got to make sure that we enjoy playing with the ball in hand this week, as opposed to giving it straight back to the Argentinians."