Six Nations 2015: Scotland add five to injury-hit squad

Chris Cusiter made six appearances for Scotland in 2014

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has added five players to his squad for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy at Murrayfield.

Sale Sharks scrum-half Chris Cusiter returns after a knee injury, while Glasgow Warriors number eight Adam Ashe is fit again after a neck injury.

Props Moray Low, of Exeter, and Alex Allan, of Glasgow Warriors, replace injured duo Jon Welsh and Gordon Reid.

Edinburgh number eight David Denton is also available.

Zimbabwe-born back row David Denton comes in to the squad for the game against Italy

He has recovered after tearing a calf in the Scotland training camp in Glasgow last month.

The quintet began training with the squad on Monday.

Welsh fractured his hand and Reid damaged his knee in the 26-23 defeat by Wales on 15 February, Scotland's second loss in as many matches.

They are also without stand-off Finn Russell, who is suspended, and lock Richie Gray, who damaged an arm tendon against Wales.

Scotland squad to play Italy

Forwards: Alex Allan, Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Hugh Blake (Edinburgh Rugby), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Rob Harley, Moray Low, Euan Murray, Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, Hamish Watson (both Edinburgh Rugby)

Backs: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby - recovering from concussion), Alex Dunbar, (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (both Glasgow Warriors) Greig Laidlaw (capt, Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland (recovering from shoulder injury but expected to be fit) (both Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors - recovering from hip injury, expected to be fit), Greig Tonks, Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby).