Scotland make three changes for Six Nations game against Italy

Andy Christie returns to Scotland line up for game against Italy
Andy Christie returns to Scotland line up for game against Italy
©PA

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to the starting line up for the fourth round of the Six Nations game against Italy to be played in Rome.

Andy Christie comes at blindside joining co-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey in the back-row with former skipper Jamie Ritchie dropping down to the bench.

Injury to Sione Tuipulotu allows Camron Redpath to come to the midfield joining Huw Jones with Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn retaining their places at left and right wings respectively along with Blair Kinghorn at fullback.

The final change in the starting line up sees George Horne getting a recall at scrum-half at the expense of Ben White with Finn Russell continuing his kicking responsibility.

Ewan Ashman, Alec Hepburn and Elliot Millar-Mills will provide front row cover along with Sam Skinner (second row), Jamie Ritchie and Matt Fagerson. They are joined by scrum-half Ali Price, who is set to make his first appearance of the campaign from the bench with Kyle Rowe also added amongst the replacements.

Scotland XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (cc), 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge (cc), 6 Andy Christie, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Reserves: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Jamie Ritchie, 21 Matt Fagerson, 22 Ali Price, 23 Kyle Rowe