Edinburgh's Geoff Cross therefore wins his first cap in place of Murray, while Jason White starts in the second row rather than on the flank after a knee injury ruled out Perpignan's Nathan Hines.
The length of Murray and Hines' absence is not yet known, with Scotland and Lions doctor James Robson not overly-optimistic about their chances of making a swift return.
"They continue to make slow but steady progress," said Robson, who will form part of the Lions' management staff on the forthcoming tour of South Africa.
"It's too early at this stage to give an accurate prognosis of whether they will be available for selection next week."
Former Lion Simon Taylor starts at No8 while fellow Lion Chris Cusiter is named among the replacements.
Mike Blair skippers the side from scrum-half, with Hugo Southwell selected ahead of Scotland's leading points scorer Chris Paterson at full back.
"I have been referring recently to the growing strength in depth of the Scotland squad," said head coach Frank Hadden.
"The quality of the side we've chosen to play Wales is an excellent example of that."
Scotland
Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh); Simon Webster (Edinburgh), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Sean Lamont (Northampton); Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Jason White (Sale), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), John Barclay (Glasgow)
Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Scott Gray (Northampton), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow)
