International friendlies/Scotland v Italy Murrayfield, 2.30: Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is hoping his side will build on their performances in South Africa when they meet Italy in a World Cup build-up match today.

The Scots, heavily criticised during a lacklustre Six Nations campaign earlier this year after beating the Springboks in Edinburgh last November, narrowly lost both matches on a tour in June.

Scotland lost 29-25 in Durban, and could have won if they had not lost the ball over the tryline in injury time, and 28-19 in Johannesburg, despite leading 16-12 at half-time.

"We want to show that our game has moved on since South Africa," said McGeechan ahead of the match at Murrayfield. "I'd like to think that South Africa was a watershed in how we went for it. We have to again deliver but this time in winning ways."

The last time the countries met was in a Six Nations match in March, when Scotland sneaked a 33-25 victory over a resurgent Italian side under the stewardship of former All Black John Kirwan.

Of particular interest will be the performances of debutant Bath winger Simon Danielli and the return of Ben Hinshelwood, who has recovered from a broken leg, at full back.

Scotland will also be looking for centre Andrew Henderson to reproduce the form he showed in South Africa and for scrumhalf Mike Blair to emulate Italy's Alessandro Troncon in terms of quick breaks.

SCOTLAND: B Hinshelwood; S Danielli, J McLaren, A Henderson, K Logan; G Ross, M Blair; T Smith, R Russell, B Douglas, S Murray (capt), N Hines, J White, J Petrie, S Taylor.

ITALY: G Peens; N Mazzucato, A Masi, C Stoica, M Bergamasco; R Pez, A Troncon (capt); A Lo Cicero, C Festuccia, S Perugini, S Dellape, M Bortolami, M Zaffiri, S Palmer, M Phillips.

Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)