British and Irish Lions

Northampton prop Murray was one of the most-talked about performers during the latter part of 2008 and into 2009 but injury has prevented him from appearing for his country in the current Six Nations.

The 28-year-old earned high praise for his performances in Scotland colours against New Zealand and South Africa in the autumn but has since been denied the chance to build on that form in the lead up to this summer's Lions tour.

Rib damage kept the former Glasgow tight-head out of the games against Wales and France in the first two round's of the Six Nations, but he came through a Guinness Premiership encounter with Wasps last weekend to confirm his availability for the match against the Azzuri at Murrayfield.

There was no such good news for Scotland second row Jim Hamilton, however, who has failed to recover from a shoulder injury which saw leave the field early against France.

Edinburgh's Hamilton, who had been in impressive form since his move from Leicester Tigers last summer, is replaced by Glasgow skipper Alastair Kellock in the second of two changes to Frank Hadden's starting XV.

Having both won call ups for the trip to Paris, brothers Max and Thom Evans retain their places in the starting side, while former Lions Jason White and Simon Taylor start at lock and No8 respectively.

2005 tourist Chris Cusiter is named on the bench as back up to scrum-half and captain Mike Blair.

"We took a bold approach to selection last week and performed bravely in Paris," said Hadden.

"The approach to this game remains the same.

"We are delighted to recall Euan Murray and bring someone as experienced as Al Kellock in to replace Jim Hamilton."

Scotland

Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh); Simon Danielli (Ulster), Max Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors); Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh, captain); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Jason White (Sale Sharks), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Simon Taylor (Stade Francais), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Gray (Northampton Saints), Chris Cusiter (Perpignan), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

See how Stuart Hogg and Adam Jones got on when they went out to have dinner at home with the Joneses of Pontypridd as part of the 'Host the Pride' community programme instigated by British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland.