Beard, who featured in the last nine matches for Wales, returns to the starting line-up in place of the injured Cory Hill and will once again pack down alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second row.
Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis again form the front row with Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty named in the back-row.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe start at scrum-half and fly half respectively with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies forming the midfield partnership.
Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams line up in the back-three.
Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front row cover on the bench with Jake Ball and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (Saturday March 9 KO14.15 BBC & S4C)
15. Liam Williams (54 Caps)
14. George North (81 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (71 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (13 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (9 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (24 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (39 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (33 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (62 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (38 aps)
4. Adam Beard (11 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (123 Caps)
6. Josh Navidi (14 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (62 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (29 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (16 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (26 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (10 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (30 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (6 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (14 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (68 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (11 Caps)
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