Thom Evans last night said that he would dedicate his first Scotland cap to the grandfather from Glasgow who inspired him to take up rugby.

Evans, the former pop pin-up, is one of three players who will make their Test debuts in Rosario tomorrow. Ben Cairns, the Edinburgh centre, and club-mate Matt Mustchin, at lock, are the other two newcomers to Frank Hadden's side as the Scots seek revenge for their World Cup quarter-final defeat in Paris last year.

The trio will share the spotlight with the full-back Chris Paterson, who will make his 87th appearance to equal Scott Murray's Scotland record.

Evans, who is the nephew of radio and television personality Chris Evans, was in the boyband Twen2y 4 Se7en before deciding to focus his attention on professional rugby. The 23-year-old winger, who was recently voted Scotland's 12th most eligible bachelor, is ready to be a big hit on the international sports stage.

"I'm over the moon," he said. "I felt I have had a good run of games, especially the last five outings with the Warriors games they were all won and I cannot wait for this opportunity. It has been frustrating having to wait for the chance but I will give it my best shot.

"I felt I had a really good game away for the A team in Italy earlier in the year and then broke my foot in the last second of play. But I believe everything happens for a reason and I went away from that and trained as hard as I could. I now feel it is my time and I have never felt in better shape."

Evans added: "I have had a good look at Argentina, I have not seen the wings that much but have had a good look at Tomas De Vedia on video playing for London Irish.

"Of course I am very aware of what Felipe Contepomi can do after playing against Leinster, and you don't have to tell me anything about my Glasgow mate Bernie Stortoni.

He is great player at full back and I am fully clued up on what he can do. I have to take it like every other game and play as I know I can.

"The Argentina defence sometimes gets tight and I have worked with Dan Parks on those crossfield kicks, so that might be an option. I will just aim to make myself available as much as possible.

"When I came to Scotland I set myself the goal of possibly breaking into the Scotland squad inside two years, and I have achieved that.

"If only my grandad Fred Thom was still alive it would be an even bigger dream come true. He is the one who got me into rugby and because he was from Glasgow, he gave me the Scottish blood. I was at an international school in Portugal where rugby was not played and he was the main influence in getting me into school in England so that he could watch his sons playing. I will be thinking of him.

"On a personal level it is massive. It will not hit me until I step on to the pitch but I'm equally sure I will love every minute of it."

Hadden said the past few weeks had been the most challenging of his reign because so many frontline players were either injured or unavailable through club commitments in France.

"It is a tribute to my assistants, Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen, that we are still in a position where we are confident we can beat the third best side in the world," he said. "Sean and Andy have done fantastic work with Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively and have played a part in the elevation of the new caps. Consistency has been the byword for all three of them and they deserve their chance at this level."

Hadden added: "A few weeks ago, there was uncertainty over who would be in the line-up, but in the end, the selection was unanimous among the coaches.

"I've been tracking Ben since he was 17 as he looked like a future outside centre. He is very mature both on and off the field and has the ability to play his role so it brings out the best of those around about him.

"I spoke to Thom before the World Cup and told him that his whole season should be geared to getting on the plane to Argentina. He thoroughly deserves this opportunity as he's a very exciting talent.

"Matt is abrasive and combative - the sort of qualities that will be suited to the forward battle with the Pumas."

Johnnie Beattie, 22, whose last Scotland appearance was in the RBS 6 Nations encounter against France, returns to win his fourth cap at No8, reward from Haddens perspective for the greater consistency he has shown this year.

Paterson, whose 100% goal kicking record has stretched to his last 33 strikes, was typically modest in assessing his achievement.

"You have to be proud of what you have achieved but the moment to start dwelling on it is sometime in the future," he said. "Records are not the finishing line. What I aim for is to produce a performance where I have as a big an impact as possible in helping Scotland to win."

Hadden added: "Sometimes, in the pursuit of winning matches, coaches gloss over this kind of milestone, but everyone has to acknowledge the significance of this landmark and it is one that Chris richly deserves."