Three changes to Scotland pack

Scotland have made three changes to their pack for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Italy in Rome.The alterations see the 40-times-capped Scott Lawson win the nod over Ross Ford at hooker; Richie Gray (pictured above) brings his 6ft 9ins presence to the second-row instead of Tim Swinson; and Johnnie Beattie lines-up at No 8 with David Denton moving to the bench.Gray told scottishrugby.org: “I’m delighted to be back. I think I speak for all the players in the fact we’re looking forward to going out and putting in a performance.”I was not involved against England but I think the guys were pretty down and they did not manage to show what they can do.  So I think this weekend it’s really about showing what we can do.”Quality ballHead coach Scott Johnson said: “We’ve made the changes to the pack with a view to improving the supply and quality of possession.”Italy are formidable opponents, especially in Rome, and Scotland’s matches against them in recent years have been a real arm wrestle.”We’re all hurting at the results of the first two games but the players we’ve chosen have the chance to do something that can make our supporters proud this weekend.”off 2.30pm local time (1.30pm UK time)15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps, 3 tries, 15 points14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps, 2 tries, 10 points13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 18 caps, 3 tries, 15 points11 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 84 caps, 12 tries, 60 points10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps, 1 try, 2 conversions, 9 points9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) CAPTAIN 26 caps, 3 tries 23 conversions, 56 penalties, 229 points1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 15 caps2 Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) 40 caps, 2 tries, 10 points3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 25 caps4 Richie Gray (Castres) 34 caps, 1 try, 5 points5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) 52 caps, 1 try, 5 points6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps7 Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap8 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) 28 caps, 3 tries, 15 pointsSubstitutes16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 73 caps, 2 tries, 10 points17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 32 caps, 2 tries, 10 points18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 25 caps, 1 try, 5 points19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps20 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 19 caps21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 66 caps, 3 tries, 15 points22 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 8 caps23 Max Evans (Castres) 39 caps, 3 tries, 15 points