The Glasgow Warriors star comes in for Ross Ford after the Edinburgh number two suffered ankle ligament damage in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup triumph at Murrayfield.

The other change sees wing Simon Danielli make his first start for three years, the Ulster man replacing Rory Lamont, who injured his head in a collision with England full-back Iain Balshaw at the weekend.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: “Simon Danielli has played consistently well for some time now and I had no hesitation in giving him the chance to restart his international career.

“Fergus Thomson played really well when he came on against England. He took his opportunity with both hands and thoroughly deserves his first start for Scotland.”

Hadden added: “Saturday was another indication of the progress we feel we have made. After a very poor start to the championship, it’s vital we maintain that progression this weekend against a side that will represent a formidable challenge.”

Hadden has retained the five-two split between forwards and backs among the substitutes.

He explained: “We felt the impact made by the forward substitutes in the Calcutta Cup had a bearing on the outcome. We believe this is the right way to approach this game as well.”

Scotland must win or avoid defeat by less than five points against Italy to make sure they do not pick up the wooden spoon for the second successive season.

Scotland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stadio Flaminio, Rome, (kick-off 1pm):

H Southwell (Edinburgh); S Danielli (Ulster), S Webster (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), N Walker (Ospreys); C Paterson (Gloucester), M Blair (Edinburgh, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), F Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), E Murray (Northampton), N Hines (Perpignan), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), A Strokosch (Gloucester), S Taylor (Stade Francais), A Hogg (Edinburgh).

Replacements: S Lawson (Sale), A Dickinson (Gloucester), C Smith (Edinburgh), J White (Sale), K Brown (Glasgow Warriors), R Lawson (Gloucester), D Parks (Glasgow Warriors).