Head coach Robinson has chosen to give Geoff Cross his first RBS 6 Nations start of the season while Newcastle’s Euan Murray returns on the bench after missing the last two games for religious reasons.

Low was part of a Scottish front row which felt the squeeze against England, conceding six points from scrum infringements in a tight 22-16 defeat, with Cross impressing as a second half substitute.

“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,” said Robinson.

“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.

“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.”

15 – Chris Paterson (Edinburgh)
14 – Max Evans ( Glasgow Warriors)
13 – Joe Ansbro ( Northampton Saints)
12 – Sean Lamont (Scarlets)
11 – Simon Danielli (Ulster )
10 – Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)
9 – Rory Lawson ( Gloucester)
1 – Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh)
2 – Ross Ford ( Edinburgh)
3 – Geoff Cross ( Edinburgh)
4 – Richie Gray ( Glasgow Warriors)
5 – Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) (captain)
6 – Nathan Hines (Leinster)
7 – John Barclay ( Glasgow Warriors)
8 – Kelly Brown (Saracens)

Replacements
16 – Scott Lawson (Gloucester)
17 – Euan Murray ( Newcastle Falcons)
18 – Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)
19 – Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)
20 – Mike Blair ( Edinburgh)
21 – Dan Parks ( Cardiff Blues)
22 – Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)