FORMER Biggar prop Rory Sutherland is set to make his Scotland debut after being named on the bench for Saturday's 6-nations clash with Italy.

The 23-year-old, who also played for Hawick and Gala, has been called up to the squad by head coach Vern Cotter after an impressive season with Edinburgh Rugby.

Greig Laidlaw retains captaincy while Kelso's Ross Ford remains in the front row and Hawick's Stuart Hogg has recovered from injury in time.

Winger Tim Visser is the only change to the starting side at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Visser was included in the original squad, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of the opening rounds, returning to action in the past fortnight with two 80-minute outings for his club side Harlequins.

Other changes on the bench see Glasgow Warriors back-row Ryan Wilson and centre Peter Horne named among the replacements, after returning to the squad this week, with Horne proving his readiness in Glasgow Warriors’ bonus-point win over Munster.

Scotland Head Coach, Vern Cotter, said: “After a week off from the Championship, we have returned to camp fresh and fit, and have prepared well for what will be another formidable opponent.

“Italy have shown they are a talented team, particularly in their performance away against France, but also in the first-half against England.

“They surprised both teams with their physicality, intensity and quality, all of which we will have to be ready for, and at least equal to, if we are to win in Rome this weekend.

“We have worked hard to improve our game and will stay true to the core values of this team, which is to work hard but stay calm; have belief in our systems, ourselves, and enjoy the opportunity.” Scotland and Italy have met 25 times in all, Scotland winning 17, including the two most recent fixtures that saw the Scots secure a home (48-7) and away (16-14) double in preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015.

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) 13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) 12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) 10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) 9 Greig Laidlaw (Gloucetser) 1 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) 4 Richie Gray (Castres) 5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 6 John Barclay (Scarlets) 7 John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 David Denton (Bath Rugby) Substitutes 16 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 17 Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby) 18 Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) 19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) 22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 23 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors)