Danielli earns first Scots cap

Simon Danielli (left) was born in Edinburgh

Bath winger Simon Danielli will win his first Scotland cap in Saturday's friendly against Italy at Murrayfield.

Coach Ian McGeechan has made eight changes to the side that lost to South Africa in Johannesburg as he prepares for the World Cup in Australia.

Worcester full-back Ben Hinshelwood and prop Tom Smith return following injury, with only Andrew Henderson and Kenny Logan remaining in the back division from the team that played the Springboks at Ellis Park in June.

Edinburgh-born Bath winger Danielli had been set for a squad place in the RBS 6 Nations earlier this year before injury robbed him of the chance to play.

But now McGeechan has offered the 23-year-old the chance to claim a World Cup place.

You never know when your next chance might come Simon Danielli

The coach said: "We didn't make any secret of trying to get him into the A team for the Six Nations, for he was carrying an injury.

"That's why we were so supportive of him getting an operation as soon as possible, so he could be fully fit for the summer programme. He has come through it really well and we want to see him play.

"He impressed me last year when I watched him. He is a big lad, has natural pace and scores tries.

"They are pretty good attributes for someone you want to see brought on to the international stage."

Danielli had feared the shoulder injury had cost him his chance of World Cup glory.

"In this game, you never know who's going to be playing or when your next chance might come," he said.

"So I'm just pleased to be back in the squad and still in the reckoning. I'm thoroughly lucky that it has come and I just have to try and take it."

Murray to captain Scots

It all seems to be falling into place for Danielli who, as well as recovering from injury at just the right time, settled his short-term future with his club side Bath in the summer when he signed a new contract.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh scrum-half Mike Blair starts in place of the injured Bryan Redpath, alongside Gordon Ross at fly-half.

"Mike and Gordon have been in the squad for some time now and we feel that it's important they both get game time," McGeechan said.

Saracens hooker Rob Russell also starts as McGeechan assesses "different combinations" ahead of the World Cup, while Glasgow's Jon Petrie comes in on the openside flank.

"We feel Gordon Bulloch is playing some of the best rugby of his career just now, but Robbie Russell is an outstanding hooker and player and he should have a run," McGeechan added.

"Jon Petrie has worked very hard at number seven and he gives us some very interesting options there."

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Scotland team:

B Hinshelwood (Worcester); S Danielli (Bath), J McLaren (Aviron Bayonnais), A Henderson (Glasgow), K Logan (Wasps), G Ross (Leeds), M Blair (Edinburgh); T Smith (Northampton), R Russell (Saracens), B Douglas (Borders), S Murray (Edinburgh, capt), N Hines (Edinburgh), J White (Sale), S Taylor (Edinburgh), J Petrie (Glasgow).
Replacements: G Bulloch (Glasgow), G McIlwham (unattached), I Fullarton (Sale), M Leslie (Edinburgh), G Beveridge (Glasgow), C Paterson (Edinburgh), B Laney (Edinburgh).