Scotland lock Richie Gray has been recalled to the Dark Blues' line-up for Saturday's potential RBS 6 nations wooden spoon decider against Italy.

The British and Irish Lion was only used as a second-half substitute in the Championship opener against Ireland before head coach Scott Johnson dropped him completely for the humiliating 20-0 defeat to England.

But the Castres forward has been brought back for the Rome clash with the Azzurri - who like Scotland have lost both their first two games - as he replaces Tim Swinson.

Johnson has made two other changes, with out-of-form hooker Ross Ford dropped in favour of Scott Lawson, while David Denton loses his place to Johnnie Beattie despite being the only Scot to have impressed so far.