WHO’S HEADING IN AND OUT OF STARTING XV

After Saturday’s Test, who advanced their chances of making the starting XV?

15 Rory Lamont

A couple of eye-catching scampers deep into Italian territory early and late in the game, but the missed tackle on Benvenuti that led to the first Italian try was a bad one and leaves veteran full back Chris Paterson in possession of the 15 jersey.

14 Max Evans

Hungry, willing and able to take on any opposition whether it is in attack or defence. Didn’t get much chance to run free but just as quick in close quarter manoeuvring, including the deliberate feed to Dickinson for Scotland’s opening try, which makes him first choice on the wing.

13 Nick de Luca

Seized his chance when he came on as a sub against Ireland and continued in that vein with stand-out man-of-the-match performance that makes outside centre position battle with Joe Ansbro a live one.

12 Graeme Morrison

Unchallenged at inside centre but underlined it with power and class and an innate tactical sense that meant he grew in stature the longer the game went on.

11 Simon Danielli

Ball didn’t run his way on left wing and found it hard to get up to pace. Skinned by Canale and posted missing as Benvenuti ran up the touchline to score. Subbed after 53 minutes but injury to his replacement Nikki Walker may yet see him on the plane.

10 Dan Parks

Controlled game for first half hour with masterful display of tactical kicking and distribution, but errors began to creep in and a relief when rival Ruaridh Jackson came on for final quarter. Straight choice: calm experience of Parks or raw-edged promise of Jackson.

9 Mike Blair

In Italian faces from first moment, desperate to prove match fitness, which he did all over the park, including charge-down and try which clinched victory. Chris Cusiter replaced him for final 20 minutes and Rory Lawson watched from the stands having stated his case. Tough call.

1 Alasdair Dickinson

Loosehead didn’t have it easy against gnarled Italian front row but one of the most mobile props around and cemented reputation with support running for Scotland’s first try. Allan Jacobsen, an ever-present in the Six Nations, remains first choice but Dickinson closer than ever to No 1 jersey.

2 Scott Lawson

Three hookers on the plane and Ross Ford is first among equals despite Gloucester man being a better lineout thrower and turning in an all-round battling performance against uncompromising opponents.

3 Moray Low

The tighthead was asked hard questions by Italian front row and struggled to find the answers, so may have to take his place in the queue behind Geoff Cross and Euan Murray – even if the latter unavailable on Sundays.

4 Nathan Hines

Strong and unrelenting with invaluable experience and ability to transfer to back row if required, but the combination of Kellock and Gray still likely to get the nod when the starting XV is announced.

5 Alastair Kellock

Played the captain’s part well when Italians got within one point by gathering players behind posts and telling them how to turn game around, which they did. Not best performance individually but the team works well around him.

6 Kelly Brown

The blindside was the best of a Scottish back row that fizzed at times and then stuttered but the Saracens flanker was always in the thick of the action looking for tackles and turnovers and a certainty to start at No 6.

7 John Barclay

A relatively quiet but nonetheless effective display on the openside, ensuring a steady supply of quick ball that had Scotland motoring, particularly in the first and final quarters. The No 7 jersey is his.

1 Richie Vernon

An impressive and expansive performance that silenced the doubters until he allowed Semenzato to squirm away to Italy’s second try. Can one error dictate choice between the Sale flanker and Glasgow’s Johnnie Beattie?

REPLACEMENTS

16 Dougie Hall

(for Lawson 70 minutes)

One of the trinity of interchangeable hookers given 10 minutes of game time to keep him sharp.

17 Euan Murray

(for Low after 53 minutes)

Scrum better when he came on and showed just why he has to be first pick as long as it isn’t Sunday.

18 Richie Gray

(for Hines after 61 minutes)

A crowd-pleasing talisman but 6ft 8in Warriors lock backs it up with talent and endeavour that puts him in any starting line-up.

19 Ross Rennie

(for Vernon after 74 minutes)

Five minutes to claim an eighth international cap, not nearly enough to time to upset back row balance or Andy Robinson’s plans. Likely impact man.

20 Chris Cusiter

(for Blair after 61 minutes)

High-octane injection of energy when he arrived on pitch but lack of match practice may keep him out of opening match.

21 Ruaridh Jackson

(for Parks after 61 minutes)

Young stand-off came on as the game turned and Scotland began to dominate again but he can’t claim much of the credit for that. Parks or Jackson remains a conundrum.

22 Nikki Walker

(for Danielli after 53 minutes)

Looked to be confirming his place in the line-up when injury ended his World Cup ambitions, and revived Danielli’s waning hopes.

BY WILLIAM PAUL