Six Nations: Robert Harley named in Scotland team to face Italy

Robert Harley: Glasgow forward to start for Scotland against Italy

Glasgow Warriors flanker Robert Harley will make his first start for Scotland at Murrayfield in Saturday's Six Nations game against Italy.

The 22-year-old, who scored the match-winning try against Samoa on his Scotland debut when he was introduced off the bench last summer, replaces the injured Alasdair Strokosch in the back-row.

Strokosch will be examined by a specialist surgeon to determine whether he can play any further part in the championship after the eye socket damage he sustained in the 38-18 defeat to England at the weekend.

The only other change to the starting line-up sees Ross Ford return at hooker in place of Dougie Hall, who sustained a knee injury in the Calcutta Cup match.

Hall and his Glasgow Warriors team-mate Pat MacArthur are both bracketed for the substitute hooker role with a decision to be made later in the week.

Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson said: "I had the pleasure of working with Robert on our tour last summer.

"He's big and aggressive and he's been knocking on the door for selection for a wee while. He deserves this chance as a reward for his club form.

"Italy's victory against France in Rome was well-deserved and certainly didn't surprise us. It will be a true Test match this weekend and it would be great to have a big vocal Murrayfield crowd supporting the boys this weekend."

Scotland team: Hogg, Maitland, Lamont, Scott, Visser, Jackson, Laidlaw; Grant, Ford, Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Harley, Brown, Beattie.
Replacements: Hall or MacArthur, Low, Cross, Kellock, Denton, Pyrgos, Weir, Evans.