Scotland v Italy (Sat)
SIX NATIONS - SCOTLAND v ITALYVenue: Murrayfield Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Scotland and Italy are both looking to get off the mark at Murrayfield after two defeats in this year's Six Nations.
The home side are boosted by the return of prop Euan Murray, while lock Alastair Kellock replaces Jim Hamilton.
Andrea Marcato, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Marco Bortolami and Gonzalo Garcia are the four changes to the Italian side that lost 38-9 at home to Ireland.
Italy are in search of a first ever hat-trick of Six Nations wins, having beaten the Scots in 2007 and 2008.
Scotland have won five of the nine Six Nations meetings between the teams and got the better of the visitors at the 2007 World Cup.
On that occasion, Chris Paterson kicked all of the points in a tense 18-16 victory but Scotland's most-capped player and all-time record points-scorer is kept on the bench this time, as he was in the opening defeats by Wales and France.
Frank Hadden's side surrendered meekly to the Welsh but turned in a hugely improved performance in Paris, only to lose out 22-13.
And the Evans brothers, Max and Thom, retain their places after injecting some much needed pace into the Scottish ranks.
However, Scotland have secured just three victories in the past 12 months and the pressure is mounting on head coach Hadden.
The return of Northampton star Murray, who missed the first two rounds of the tournament with a rib injury, should improve Scotland's scrummaging, which has been ragged of late.
But set-pieces remain a worry for Hadden, who has lost locks Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton to injury, while a lack of game time at club level has left Scott MacLeod out in the cold.
Glasgow skipper Kellock makes his first Test start in two years and will partner Jason White in the second row, but Hadden has once again gone without a recognised lock among the replacements.
Simon Taylor had to switch from the back row once Hamilton was injured early in Paris, while White is also more accustomed to the flanker's role.
"In international rugby, or top-level rugby, you should have nine subs," explained Hadden.
"But we think we've got a bench that can make a significant impact and we think they're a very important part of our team.
"Last year, I thought we played pretty well and should've come away with a win in Italy.
Italy ran in four tries on their last visit to Murrayfield
"But this time we know that we've got to, first of all, lay the platform for us to play in a manner than we think we're capable of.
"We're determined to play a significant part in this championship and we know we've got to get off the mark this weekend."
Italy have suffered heavy defeats by England and Ireland and have been guilty of ill-discipline, as have the Scots, while both teams will be hoping to cut down on the number of unforced errors made so far.
"Against Ireland we had 18 fouls against when our average is 10," said visiting head coach Nick Mallett. "We simply lacked intelligence and this cannot be tolerated.
"Against Scotland I expect lucidity and discipline on the pitch from my players. We had that in last year's tournament but we haven't shown it so far."
The return of full-back Marcato and lock Bortolami, who missed the loss to Ireland through injury, will strengthen the Azzurri, as will Ghiraldini's comeback from a knee problem.
"Ghiraldini is our first choice," added Mallett. "He had an extraordinary tournament last season and according to many people he was one of the best hookers in the tournament.
"He has all the right characteristics - he is fast, makes good tackles and throws the ball in well at the line-out."
Scotland: Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Max Evans (Glasgow), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh, capt), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Jason White (Sale Sharks), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), John Barclay (Glasgow).Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh).
Italy: Marcato (Benetton Treviso); Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Canale (Clermont-Aubergne), Garcia (Calvisano), Pratichetti (Calvisano); McLean (Calvisano) Griffen (Calvisano); Perugini (Stade Toulousain), Ghiraldini (Calvisano), Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), Dellape (Toulon), Bortolami (Gloucester), Zanni (Calvisano), Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Parisse (Stade Francais).Replacements: Ongaro (Saracens), Nieto (Gloucester), del Fava (Ulster), Canavosio (Viadana), Sole (Viadana), Bacchetti (Rovigo), Rubini (Cariparma).
