Saturday, 1 February Time: 14:15 GMT Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, listen on Radio 5 live, Radio Scotland & BBC Sounds and follow live on the BBC Sport website and app. Finn Russell is one of rugby union's biggest stars.
Ben White will continue his partnership with Russell in the half-backs with Townsend picking a lethal back-three in the form of wingers Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe and full-
Finn Russell and Scotland plot a ‘different’ answer to the same old Six Nations question - Exclusive interview: Even the fly-half himself admits that he has not won enough silverware – so could this be Scotland’s year for Six Nations success?
Bayliss limped off late in the first half with what Bath head of rugby Johan van Graan labelled a “serious” groin injury. Townsend has already lost captain Sione Tuipulotu and lock Scott Cummings to injury, while there are slight concerns over Duhan van der Merwe’s fitness due to an ankle issue.
Stafford McDowall will earn his ninth cap for Scotland at inside centre, replacing injured captain Sione Tuipulotu against Italy in the Six Nations opener. The seasoned backline aims for victory with McDowall partnering Huw Jones,
Scotland lock Jonny Gray will make his first Test appearance for nearly two years after being named in the starting team for Saturday's Six Nations opener at home to Italy. Scotland playmaker Finn Russell and flanker Rory Darge are the co-captains of the team.
Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry is given a surprise start as Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre for Scotland's opening Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.
Scotland's Stafford McDowall will earn a ninth cap at inside centre in place of injured captain Sione Tuipulotu in an otherwise experienced backline to face Italy in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Bordeaux lock Gray, 30, has not featured for the national team since the last time Italy visited Murrayfield on Six Nations duty two years ago.
Stafford McDowall will earn a ninth cap at inside centre for Scotland in the place of injured captain Sione Tuipulotu in an otherwise experienced backline to face Italy in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 2.
Stafford McDowall will earn a ninth cap at inside centre for Scotland in the place of injured captain Sione Tuipulotu in an otherwise experienced backline to face Italy in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday.
In one of his final acts as a Bath player before heading into the Six Nations, Finn Russell produced a try for Tom Carr-Smith that left his usually stoic coach Johann van Graan open-mouthed in awe.