Scotland have made two changes to their squad for Saturday’s clash with Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield.



Nathan Hines, introduced as a second-half substitute in this month’s victory against Wales, will start in the second-row instead of Jim Hamilton. It will be Hines’ 40th cap and he will partner Scott Murray in the second-row as Murray equals Gregor Townsend’s Scotland cap record total of 82.



On the bench Andrew Henderson replaces the injured Simon Webster.



Head coach Frank Hadden said: “Our pack stepped up to the mark against Wales and they will have to do so again as the Italians forwards are formidable.



“I couldn’t really have asked for any more from Jim Hamilton in the match against the Welsh but given that Nathan (Hines) has missed out on some matches through injury I am keen to see him.”



Hadden reflected that Scott Murray had marked his return to the starting line-up against Wales with a combative display. “Saturday is another landmark day for Scott and his appetite to be part of our determination to provide something special for our supporters is as strong as ever.”



Some 45,200 tickets have now been sold for Saturday’s match. Currently sales are averaging about 1,000 a day. Tickets costing from £10 for children and students and from £20 for adults are on sale from the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre, Roseburn Street, Murrayfield; from our ticket hotline number 0131 346 5100; or via our website at www.scottishrugby.org. The Ticket Centre and hotline are open from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Please note a booking fee applies for all credit card transactions.







Scotland team (sponsor The Famous Grouse) to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 24 February (kick-off 3pm)



15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby)



14 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints)

13 Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Rugby)

12 Rob Dewey (Edinburgh Rugby)

11 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN



10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh Rugby)

9 Chris Cusiter (Border Reivers)*



1 Gavin Kerr (Border Reivers)

2 Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Rugby)

3 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors-Hawks)*

4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)

5 Scott Murray (Edinburgh Rugby)

6 Simon Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby)*

8 Dave Callam (Edinburgh Rugby)*

7 Kelly Brown (Border Reivers)*



Substitutes



16 Ross Ford (Border Reivers)*

17 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby)

18 Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers)

19 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby)*

20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester)

21 Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors- Hawks)

22 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)



* = Member of Scottish Institute of Sport



Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland). Touch-judges: Wayne Barnes (England) and Hugh Watkins (Wales). Television Match Official: George Clancy (Ireland)

This article was posted on 20-Feb-2007, 11:52 by Hugh Barrow.