Ben Healy set for first Scotland start in RWC warm-up against Italy

Former Munster out-half Ben Healy will make his first start for Scotland this weekend, as Gregor Townsend's side begin their Rugby World Cup preparations against Italy on Saturday.

Healy is named at 10 in an experimental Scottish side, with the likes of Finn Russell, captain Jamie Ritchie, Grant Gilchrist, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Richie Gray, Duhan Van Der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson all rested ahead of further warm-up games against France (twice) and Georgia.

The Tipperary native, who left Munster at the end of last season to join Edinburgh, made his debut for the Scots off the bench in Round 6 of the Six Nations against the Italians, having qualified for Scotland through his mother's side of the family.

Healy played an influential role in Munster's late charge towards BKT United Rugby Championship success last season, and could potentially come up against Ireland at the Rugby World Cup later this year, with the sides set to face each other in Pool B on 7 October in Paris.

Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall and Leicester second row Cameron Henderson will make their Scottish debuts in Saturday's game at Murrayfield, with Henderson among the replacements.

Flanker Rory Darge will captain the side for the first time.

There are also starts for British and Irish Lions Chris Harris and Ali Price, who both lost their places in the starting team during the Six Nations earlier this year.

Scotland (v Italy): Ollie Smith; Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Steyn; Ben Healy, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Murphy Walker; Sam Skinner, Scott Cummings; Luke Crosbie, Rory Darge (captain), Matt Fagerson

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Jamie Bhatti, Javan Sebastian, Cameron Henderson, Josh Bayliss,