Updated 13.20

SCOTLAND COACH VERN Cotter has named a familiar side for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash against England.

Thirteen of the side which started the agonising World Cup quarter-final defeat to Australia return, with flanker John Barclay and centre Matt Scott the only two changes.

Cotter said that there is “a huge amount of excitement and determination” ahead of the Six Nations opener in Murrayfield (4.50pm).

“The group [want] to start well, and do well, in this championship, and show that they have learned from past experiences and developed their game.”

Meanwhile Italy have named four debutants for their visit to France in Saturday’s championship kick-off.

Zebre’s Andrea Lovotti and Treviso’s Ornel Gega make their bows in the front row while Mattia Bellini starts on the wing and David Odiete is at full-back for the Stade de France trip.

Scotland (v England)

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Sean Maitland
13. Mark Bennett
12. Matt Scott
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Finn Russell
9. Greig Laidlaw (captain)

1. Alasdair Dickinson
2. Ross Ford
3. Willem Nel
4. Richie Gray
5. Jonny Gray
6. John Barclay
7. John Hardie
8. David Denton

Replacements:

16. Stuart McInally
17. Gordon Reid
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Tim Swinson
20. Blair Cowan
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22. Duncan Weir
23. Duncan Taylor

Italy (v France)

15. David Odiete
14. Leonardo Sarto
13. Michele Campagnaro
12. Gonzalo Garcia
11. Mattia Bellini
10. Carlo Canna
9. Edoardo Gori

1. Andrea Lovotti
2. Ornel Gega
3. Lorenzo Cittadini
4. George Fabio Biagi
5. Marco Fuser
6. Francesco Minto
7. Alessandro Zanni
8. Sergio Parisse (c)

Replacements:

16. Davide Giazzon
17. Matteo Zanusso
18. Martin Castrogiovanni
19. Valerio Bernabo
20. Andries van Schalkwyk
21. Guglielmo Palazzani
22. Kelly Haimona
23. Luke McLean

Haskell takes seven shirt as Jones names three new faces on England bench

Vakatawa and Danty among four debutants in exciting France XV for Italy