Scotland's quest for a first win in this year's Six Nations will be bolstered by the return of forward Euan Murray for Saturday's meeting with Italy at Murrayfield.
The Northampton prop missed the defeats by Wales and France with a rib injury but came through his club's English Premiership defeat at Wasps on Sunday and comes in for Alasdair Dickinson, who drops to the bench after a trying time against the French.
Head coach Frank Hadden has also recalled Glasgow captain Alastair Kellock, who will make his first Test start in place of Edinburgh lock Jim Hamilton, who is sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Although the Scots were beaten 22-13 in Paris, Hadden was encouraged by what was a battling display against the French.
"We took a bold approach to selection last week and performed bravely in Paris," he said. "The approach to this game remains the same.
"We are delighted to recall Euan Murray and bring someone as experienced as Al Kellock in to replace Jim Hamilton."
Murray's return has been keenly anticipated by the Scots' fans but Hadden warned against expecting miracles from the Northampton star, who is regarded as a contender to travel with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa later this year.
"It's a tough ask for him coming in out of the blue," Hadden said. "It's not going to be that easy for him to make the sort of impression that everyone would like him to make."
"There's no doubt he's a top-quality player and he brings bulk and experience to that row. But it's going to be an interesting challenge."
Scotland (15-1)
Hugo Southwell; Simon Danielli, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Thom Evans; Phil Godman, Mike Blair (capt); Simon Taylor, John Barclay, Alasdair Strokosch; Alastair Kellock, Jason White; Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Kelly Brown, Scott Gray, Chris Cusiter, Chris Paterson, Nick de Luca
Ref: Nigel Owens (WAL)
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
