Cross, who will be winning his fifth cap, is the only change in the starting XV from the team that played against England last weekend. He replaces Moray Low as head coach Andy Robinson seeks to secure Scotland’s first win of the year. British Lion Euan Murray will provide prop cover on the bench.

Elsewhere in the team, Kelly Brown continues to progress through the return to play protocols after his concussion in the Calcutta Cup match, and is listed at No 8.

Robinson said today: “We have chosen Geoff at tight-head prop as he made a good impact when he was introduced on Sunday in both setpiece and open play.

“We have been watching Geoff’s performances very closely since the A international win against the Irish at Netherdale back in January and he fully deserves this chance.”

Robinson reiterated the team’s determination to reward Scotland fans for their support this season against an Italian team that were “rightly lauded” for their win against France.

“We know from our own experience that Italy are formidable opponents, especially at the Stadio Flaminio, and our focus this week is on stepping up our performance on our home soil and producing a hard-nosed, complete 80-minute display that the players are capable of delivering and that will give our supporters something to cheer.”

Tickets for Scotland’s final RBS 6 Nations match against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) are still on sale and start at £15 (students/under-18s) and £30 for adults. You can buy online at www.scottishrugby.org and on the 24-hour hotline (0844 335 3933) until 12 midnight on Friday. Tickets are also available in person from the Ticket Centre at Murrayfield Stadium, which is open 9am-8pm until Friday. Please note there are no ticket sales on match day.

Scotland team (sponsor Murray) to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield on Saturday 19 March, kick-off 2.30pm

15 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh) 103 caps, 22 tries, 159 penalties, 88 conversions and 3 drop-goals, 772 points

14 Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 19 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
13 Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints) 5 caps
12 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) 54 caps, 8 tries, 40 points
11 Simon Danielli (Ulster) 28 caps, 6 tries, 30 points

10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps, 1 penalty, 1 conversion and 1 drop-goal 8 points
9 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 26 caps

1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh) 54 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh) 47 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh) 4 caps
4 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps
5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN 31 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Nathan Hines (Leinster) 71 caps, 2 tries 10 points
8 Kelly Brown (Saracens) 44 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 27 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

Substitutes

16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) 26 caps, 2 tries 10 points
17 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 37 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 10 caps
19 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) 18 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh) 70 caps, 5 tries, 25 points
21 Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues) 60 caps, 4 tries, 45 penalties, 13 conversions, 14 drop-goals, 223 points
22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh) 23 caps

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia). Assistant referees: Alan Lewis and John Lacey (both Ireland). TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales).

ENDS