Scotland bring in reinforcements

Scotland coach Vern Cotter added five capped internationalists to their Six Nations squad, five days out from the round three Test against Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scrumhalf Chris Cusiter and prop Moray Low have been called up from English Premiership clubs Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs, along with Glasgow Warriors duo Adam Ashe (No.8) and Alex Allan (prop), and Edinburgh No.8 David Denton.

Cusiter (knee) and Ashe (neck) were absent from Cotter's initial squad selection due to injury, but have recovered to earn the recall.

Denton has recovered from the calf tear sustained in the national team's pre-championship camp in Glasgow last month.

Low and Allan are direct replacements for Glasgow Warriors pair Jon Welsh (hand) and Gordon Reid (knee), who were injured in the previous match against Wales on Sunday 15 February.

The quintet began training with the squad on Monday.