Injury-hit Scotland have made four changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations rugby clash with Italy in Rome.

Back three Chris Paterson, Thom Evans and Rory Lamont have all been ruled out of the rest of the tournament as a result of injuries suffered in the last gasp defeat to Wales earlier this month.

Head coach Andy Robinson has replaced them with Hugo Southwell, Simon Danielli and Max Evans, who comes in at centre to allow Sean Lamont to switch back to the wing.

Robinson has made one change in his pack, recalling prop Allan Jacobsen in place of Alasdair Dickinson.

Forwards Nathan Hines and Alasdair Strokosch, both of whom missed the Wales game through injury, were deemed fit enough for a place on the bench, which also includes recalled centre Nick De Luca.

Southwell and captain Chris Cusiter will both be winning their 50th caps in the Italian capital in a match many will see as a battle to avoid the tournament's wooden spoon.

Scotland performed promisingly enough in their opening match against France, albeit one which ended in an 18-9 defeat.

But they were left severely deflated after squandering a winning position against the Welsh, who came back from 24-14 down with four minutes left to win 31-24.

"Our focus now is on delivering a winning performance against Italy," Robinson said.

Scotland (15-1)

Hugo Southwell; Simon Danielli, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Sean Lamont; Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter (capt.); Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Kelly Brown; Alastair Kellock, Jim Hamilton; Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines (Leinster), Alasdair Strokosch, Mike Blair, Phil Godman, Nick De Luca

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