Italy captain Michele Lamaro is one of three players set to earn their 50th cap against Scotland

Rome (AFP) - Captain Michele Lamaro and backs Juan Ignacio Brex and Paolo Garbisi will earn their 50th caps for Italy against Scotland in the Azzurri’s Six Nations opener after being named in coach Gonzalo Quesada’s starting XV on Thursday.

With scrum-halves Stephen Varney and Martin Page-Relo still unavailable due to injuries, Alessandro Fusco partners fly-half Garbisi at half-back.

Quesada has picked England-raised Louis Lynagh, the son of Australia great Michael Lynagh, at right wing with Toulouse’s Ange Capuozzo unavailable and young Northampton starlet Edoardo Todaro tearing his cruciate knee ligament last week.

The coach sprung one surprise by picking Benetton’s 23-year-old versatile back Leonardo Marin at full-back.

“Leo is playing consistently at a high level in this position and at the same time, we could move him to centre if need be,” said the Argentine handler.

“What’s more, with Paolo Garbisi, who is left-footed, at 10, having a full-back who kicks well with his right foot is something to take into consideration.”

Amongst the replacements, front row pair Tommaso Di Bartolomeo and Muhamed Hasa, and fly-half Giacomo Da Re, earn their first inclusions in a Six Nations matchday squad.

With rain forecast for Saturday’s match, Quesada believes that both teams could struggle.

“We’re two teams that prefer to throw the ball around, swing it wide, so the heavy pitch could affect both of us,” he said.

As for replicating their dramatic 31-29 victory over the Scots in Rome two years ago, Quesada tried to calm expectations.

“We’re happy that some international press consider us favourites – it’s a credibility that we’ve deservedly built – but Scotland have the stated aim of winning the Six Nations, and they have everything they need to achieve that,” he said.

“So we expect them to come here looking to fill their boots.”

Team (15-1)

Leonardo Marin; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Lorenzo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Michele Lamaro (capt); Andrea Zambonin, Niccolo Cannone; Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti

Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, Alessandro Garbisi, Giacomo Da Re, Lorenzo Pani

Cocach: Gonzalo Quesada (ARG)