Nick Scrivener has the chance to complete his first season as Scotland A coach with a 100% record if the second string can defeat Italy A at Netherdale on Friday night.
The new interim head coach of Edinburgh has overseen wins over the full USA team in November and the Irish Wolfhounds last week and, although forced into seven changes from the team that handsomely beat the Irish 32-13, might even have a stronger team at his disposal.
A debut is handed to Bath’s Jack Cuthbert, while full caps Simon Danielli, Alex Grove and Scott Lawson also come in, with Glasgow’s Ryan Grant getting his first A outing for four years.
Saracens lock Tom Ryder and Edinburgh’s Stuart McInally return after debuting against the USA and Scrivener believes that the intensity from last week’s second-half surge needs to be maintained.
“This is another strong team we’re sending out and a lot of guys have been really unlucky to drop down, but as usual with the A team we’ve got to gel quickly and work out a common purpose,” he said.
Johnnie Beattie continues his comeback from injury in the back row while on the bench hooker Steve Lawrie and lock Aly Muldowney are set for their first representative appearances.
Scotland A (vs Italy A, Netherdale, Galashiels, Friday ko 7.30pm): Jack Cuthbert (Bath); Lee Jones (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), John Houston (Edinburgh), Simon Danielli (Ulster); David Blair (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh, capt); Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh); Tom Ryder (Saracens), Fraser McKenzie (Edinburgh); Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors).Replacements: Stevie Lawrie (Doncaster Knights), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Aly Muldowney, (Glasgow Warriors), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors).