Thomson Gets Scotland Start

Glasgow Warriors hooker Fergus Thomsom will make his first start for Scotland when they line-up against Italy on Saturday, winning his eighth cap for his country.Frank Hadden has made one other change from the XV that lifted the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield last weekend as Ulster winger Simon Danielli comes in for the injured Rory Lamont.Speaking about Thomson, Scotland head coach Frank Hadden said: Fergus Thomson played really well when he came on against England. He took his opportunity with both hands and thoroughly deserves his first start for Scotland. Elsewhere, Graeme Morrison retains his place in the centre whilst Kelly Brown and Dan Parks provide vital support from the bench.Hadden added: ‘saturday was another indication of the progress we feel we have made. After a very poor start to the Championship it’s vital we maintain that progression this weekend against a side that will represent a formidable challenge. Hadden has retained the five/two split between forwards and backs among the substitutes._ He explained: We felt the impact made by the forward substitutes in the Calcutta Cup had a bearing on the outcome. We believe this is the right way to approach this game as well.Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship on Saturday 15 March at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, kick-off 2pm local time15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh)14 Simon Danielli (Ulster)13 Simon Webster (Edinburgh)12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)11 Nikki Walker (Ospreys)10 Chris Paterson (Gloucester)9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) CAPTAIN1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)2 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors)3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)5 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets)6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)7 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh)Substitutes16 Scott Lawson (Sale Sharks)17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester)18 Craig Smith (Edinburgh)19 Jason White (Sale Sharks)20 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)21 Rory Lawson (Gloucester)22 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Touch-judges: Chris White (England) and Simon McDowell (Ireland)._ TMO: Romain Poite (France)