American Marconi Wireless News - Jonny Gray returns for Scotland against Italy in Six Nations

The 30-year-old missed the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury and declined a call-up for the November international series after returning to action at the start of this season with French club Bordeaux-Begles.

But he is now set to add to his tally of 77 caps.

Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry will make his first Test appearance since the World Cup in France after coach Gregor Townsend surprisingly selected him ahead of the benched Ewan Ashman.

Cherry made a freak early exit from the World Cup after suffering concussion when slipping on stairs at the team hotel in Nice, the day after he came on as a replacement in Scotland's opening pool-stage loss to champions South Africa.

In the backs, Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre after the Australia-born midfielder was ruled out of the entire Six Nations with a chest muscle problem.

Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland's record try-scorer, has been passed fit following an ankle issue and will take his place in a back three featuring fellow wing Darcy Graham and full-back Blair Kinghorn.

Influential playmaker Finn Russell and flanker Rory Darge are the co-captains of the team, with Scotland looking to avenge their shock 31-29 loss to Italy in Rome last year.

Scotland (15-1)

Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (co-capt), Jamie Ritchie; Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray; Zander Fagerson, Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Gregor Brown, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

P.M.Smith--AMWN