Six Nations Team news: FRANCE: Flanker Serge Betsen has been cleared to play in France's Six Nations championship match against Wales at the Stade de France tomorrow.
Betsen (30) missed the 16-9 win over Scotland on February 5th because of a recurrent leg injury.
He was back in action ahead of schedule to play a major part in their 18-17 victory against England at Twickenham but was injured again late in the game.
Team doctor Thierry Hermerel gave him the green light only after two scans, on Monday and Wednesday, confirmed he had recovered.
SCOTLAND: Simon Taylor has been named in the Scotland team to face Italy at Murrayfield also tomorrow.
The 25-year-old backrower has not played for his country since damaging his knee ligaments against Ireland last March. But, after a loan spell at English Premiership side Saracens earlier this month, the Edinburgh Gunners man has returned to full fitness.
Taylor will be a direct replacement for Jason White at flanker after the Sale Sharks player suffered a knee injury.
SCOTLAND: C Paterson (Edinburgh); S Webster (Edinburgh), A Craig (Glasgow), H Southwell (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Glasgow); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (The Borders); T Smith (Northampton), G Bulloch (Glasgow, capt), G Kerr (Leeds), S Grimes (Newcastle), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Taylor (Edinburgh), A Hogg (Edinburgh), J Petrie (Glasgow) Replacements: R Russell (London Irish), B Douglas (The Borders), N Hines (Edinburgh), J Dunbar (Leeds), M Blair (Edinburgh), G Ross (Leeds), B Hinshelwood (Worcester).
ITALY: R de Marigny; Mirco Bergamasco, C Stoica, A Masi, L Nitoglia; L Orquera, A Troncon; A Lo Cicero, F Ongaro, M Castrogiovanni, S Dellape, M Bortolami (capt), A Persico, D Dal Maso, S Parisse. Replacements: S Perugini, G Intoppa, CA Del Fava, S Orlando, P Griffen, R Pedrazzi, P Robertson.
