Grant Gilchrist captains Scotland against Italy in Turin

Grant Gilchrist featured in Saturday's defeat by Ireland

Grant Gilchrist will captain Scotland in their second World Cup warm-up match against Italy in Turin on Saturday.

The Edinburgh lock, 25, will win his ninth cap in the first of two Tests with the Italians, who visit Murrayfield the following weekend.

Scrum-half Henry Pyrgos skippered the Scots in Saturday's 28-22 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

Head coach Vern Cotter has selected a 25-man squad and will name his team later this week.

Gilchrist captained Scotland twice during last summer's tour and was selected to lead the side for the autumn Tests only to suffer a broken arm.

Last Saturday's game in Dublin was his first outing since that injury last October.

Loose forwards Adam Ashe, John Hardie, Alasdair Strokosch and Hamish Watson are called up after not featuring against Ireland and the options up front include Kevin Bryce, Alasdair Dickinson, Richie Gray, Stuart McInally and Willem Nel.

South Africa-born Nel could play for Scotland for the first time after qualifying under residency rules.

Nel's Edinburgh team-mate McInally, who made the move from back-row to hooker two years ago, was denied a debut in Dublin due to a stomach complaint.

Scotland fans may get their first look at John Hardie in Turin

New Zealand-born Hardie, who has a Scottish grandmother, was added to the training squad in July but has not signed up for a club since leaving Highlanders.

Uncapped backs Damien Hoyland and Rory Hughes are also named in a squad showing 11 changes.

After the two meetings with Italy, Cotter will name his final 31-man World Cup squad before the Scots face France away in a final warm-up.

Scotland squad to face Italy

Backs: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps), Sean Lamont, Henry Pyrgos (both Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott, Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir (both Glasgow Warriors),

Forwards: Adam Ashe, Kevin Bryce, Mike Cusack (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh Rugby), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), John Hardie (unattached), Stuart McInally, Willem Nel (both Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpigan), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby).