Rugby: 'A' squad bolstered by seven top-team players for Italy encounter

Seven players from Scotland's RBS Six Nations squad will line up in the 'A' fixture with Italy on Friday at Netherdale.

In a side showing seven changes from the 32-13 defeat of the Irish Wolfhounds last week, Bath full-back Jack Cuthbert replaces Edinburgh's Jim Thompson, who has an ankle injury.

Cuthbert is one of the members of the full Six Nations squad, along with 'A' team captain Greig Laidlaw, Alex Grove, Simon Danielli, Geoff Cross, Scott Lawson and Johnnie Beattie.

Grove and Danielli play at wing and centre in place of Ben Cairns and Hefin O'Hare, who drop to the bench.

In the forwards, Lawson takes the hooker berth, while Saracens forward Tom Ryder will line up in the second row with Scott MacLeod remaining with the senior squad as cover.

Stuart McInally and Ryan Grant also come into the pack, in place of Ryan Wilson and Jon Welsh respectively. Both Wilson and Welsh are suffering from shoulder injuries.

On the bench, there are places for Stevie Lawrie and Glasgow lock Aly Muldowney, who is in line to make his Scotland 'A' debut.