Greig Laidlaw among 15 changes to Scotland squad to face Italy
Tuesday 25 August 2015 18:57, UK
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw is among 15 changes to the 25-man squad named to face Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Vern Cotter's side are looking to build momentum after ending their eight-month wait for a win with a 16-12 victory against the Italians in Turin on Saturday.
With the return fixture in Edinburgh coming just two days before Scotland's 31-man World Cup squad is announced, it offers a final chance to impress for players battling to catch Cotter's eye.
Laidlaw is among six new faces available to the back division, with Glasgow Warriors' quartet Mark Bennett, Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, and Tommy Seymour, and returning Harlequins' wing Tim Visser, all vying for a starting berth.
Laidlaw, 29, says he was always confident of securing a place in Cotter's squad.
"I'm experienced now and I've been patient," said the Gloucester scrum-half.
"I was always getting opportunities to play. I keep myself sharp, train well and make sure I'm prepared so when I get my opportunity I take it with both hands.
"I was happy with my form come the end of the season. Do I feel like I'm a better player? Probably yes, because I needed freshening up. I think I moved at the right time and that has certainly brought me on as a player and as a person.
"Vern has been quite open with me when I was going to play. I had the heads up and it's important you build trust in that leadership group with the coaches so you can spread that trust throughout the group."
The nine changes to the pack feature two players yet to feature this summer – lock Jonny Gray and back-row Ryan Wilson – while the remainder return from the squad selected to face Ireland in the opening Test, namely John Barclay, Fraser Brown, Blair Cowan, David Denton, Rob Harley and Jon Welsh.
Lock Grant Gilchrist has recovered from the sickness that ruled him out of the Italy Test on the morning of the match and is available for selection this weekend.
A remaining nine who travelled to Turin – Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Peter Horne, Sean Lamont, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Henry Pyrgos, Gordon Reid and Matt Scott – return to complete the squad.
Scotland squad to play Italy at Murrayfield this Saturday (29 August, kick-off 3.15pm)
Forwards: John Barclay (Scarlets), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray, Robert Harley (both Glasgow Warriors), Stuart McInally, Willem Nel (both Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Wilson, Gordon Reid (both Glasgow Warriors), Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: Mark Bennett, Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (C) (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tim Visser (Harlequins).
