Six Nations: McGeechan retains side for Italy clash

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has kept faith with the side that suffered a record 43-3 defeat by England on Saturday at Twickenham.

He has named the same 22-strong squad for the Six Nations encounter with Italy on March 17 - and added two of his fit-again stars, Gregor Townsend and Glenn Metcalfe.

Townsend has been sidelined with a knee problem sustained early in the tournament opener in Paris, while Metcalfe has played three A-Tests since shaking off the effects of a fractured kneecap.

Squad:

Backs: A Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), J Craig (Glasgow Caledonians), D Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), J Leslie (Northampton), K Logan (Wasps), J McLaren (Glasgow Caledonians), G Metcalfe (Glasgow Caledonians), C Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), A Nicol (Glasgow Caledonians), C Paterson (Edinburgh Reivers), B Redpath (Sale), G Townsend (Castres).

Forwards: G Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), S Grimes (Newcastle), M Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), G McIlwham (Glasgow Caledonians), R Metcalfe (Edinburgh Reivers), S Murray (Saracens), J Petrie (Glasgow Caledonians), B Pountney (Northampton), S Scott (Edinburgh Reivers), T Smith (Brive), M Stewart (Northampton), S Taylor (Edinburgh Reivers).