Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan withdraw from Scotland squad

London Irish duo Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan have pulled out of Scotland's 34-man squad for Saturday's Six Nations game with Italy through injury.

Wing Maitland missed the 27-23 defeat to Wales with a hamstring strain while back-rower Cowan lasted just 10 minutes of the match in Cardiff after suffering a concussion shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.

But neither player has recovered in time to face the Azzurri in Rome.

Also dropping out of head coach Vern Cotter's training squad are Glasgow trio Alex Allan, Chris Fusaro - both with head knocks - and Pat MacArthur, who is ruled out with groin and thigh issues.

However, Cotter has been boosted by the return to fitness of Harlequins wing Tim Visser and Warriors centre Peter Horne after both men completed their recoveries from hamstring and foot injuries.

Cotter has also called up Glasgow's scrum-half Grayson Hart, flankers Rob Harley and Ryan Wilson as well as Edinburgh's uncapped hooker George Turner and back-row Hamish Watson to their training camp at BT Murrayfield.

Scotland squad to face Italy:

Forwards (20)

Ross Ford, Stuart McInally, George Turner, Alasdair Dickinson, Zander Fagerson, Moray Low, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Rory Sutherland, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, John Barclay, David Denton, John Hardie, Rob Harley, Josh Strauss, Ryan Wilson, Hamish Watson

Backs (14)

Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Grayson Hart, Greig Laidlaw (C), Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Sean Lamont, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson