Six Nations 2022: Italy v Scotland - Adam Hastings praised by Gregor Townsend as he recalls fly-half

Kyle Steyn scored four tries against Tonga last year in his first start for Scotland

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend praised Adam Hastings for his reaction to being left out of his initial Six Nations squad as he recalled the fly-half for Saturday's game in Italy.

Hastings, 25, guided Scotland to a famous win in Paris last year but was not one of the 39 men named in January.

But he now replaces Blair Kinghorn as Finn Russell's cover while Townsend has made five changes to the starting XV.

"Adam responded really well to not being in the squad," said Townsend.

"His last two games for Gloucester have been at a high level. Adam has played for us in the past and has a lot of experience. He's putting that form together at the right time for us."

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Townsend has recalled centre Sam Johnson and handed a first Six Nations start to winger Kyle Steyn in two of the five changes he has made to his side for the game in Rome.

Johnson replaces Glasgow team-mate Sione Tuipulotu while Steyn comes in for the banned Duhan van der Merwe.

Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson are available again and return to the back row, where Rory Darge retains his place. Hooker George Turner will start between props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson.

Townsend has resisted the temptation to recall fit-again lock Jonny Gray and sticks with Sam Skinner and Grant Gilchrist in the second row with Jamie Hodgson on the bench.

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Edinburgh's Ben Vellacott joins Hastings among the replacements in preference to Ben White and the former Scotland Under-20 scrum-half is in line to make his debut.

Townsend is pleased to welcome back-row stalwarts Watson and Fagerson back into the team - and believes newcomer Vellacott will offer something different later in the game.

"Hamish had a very good game in Cardiff and Matt started the championship very well too, so having them back adds to our experience," said Townsend.

"Ben's form in the first half of the season was excellent. He's earned his opportunity and his pace could be a real weapon for us going into the final quarter."

Johnson started the game against England on the opening weekend of the Six Nations but was then dropped in favour of Tuipulotu for the matches in Cardiff and at home to Grand Slam-chasing France.

Glasgow winger Steyn, 28, fills in for Worcester's Van der Merwe, who will miss the matches against Italy and Ireland after his red card "for reckless or dangerous play" resulted in a three-week ban.

The British and Irish Lions wing was dismissed for his fend on Scotland team-mate Kyle Rowe, the London Irish wing, and was subsequently been suspended.

Fagerson returns from injury to start at number eight in place of Magnus Bradbury while flanker Watson effectively replaces the injured Nick Haining after recovering from Covid.

They will form an intriguing back row with 22-year-old Darge, who switches from openside flanker to the blindside after his magnificent performance against France.

Ali Price will win his 50th cap in Rome having made his debut in 2016 against Georgia at Rugby Park. The 28-year-old will start alongside fellow British and Irish Lions player Russell for the seventh successive occasion on Saturday.

Scotland are fourth in the table after an opening-weekend victory against England, which was followed by a defeat in Wales then a loss at home to France.

Scotland team to face Italy: Hogg; Graham, Harris, Johnson, Steyn; Russell, Price; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson; Skinner, Gilchrist; Watson, Darge, M Fagerson.

Replacements: McInally, Dell, Nel, Hodgson, Bradbury, Vellacott, Hastings, Tuipulotu.

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