SCOTLAND head coach Andy Robinson has called for his players to prove their credentials for a Rugby World Cup starting spot after naming his team for Saturday’s EMC Test with Italy.

The clash with the Azzurri will be the final opportunity for players to win selection for the 30-man World Cup squad, which will be named on Monday, with eight players set to be cut.

Robinson lived up to his promise of offering chances, with 14 changes to the team which beat Ireland on August 6 and only centre Graeme Morrison retained.

The head coach now hopes the wholesale changes can encourage his charges to battle for the starting berths for the first World Cup Pool B fixture, the September 10 clash with Romania in Invercargill.

Asked the reason for the number of changes, Robinson said: “It was to give people an opportunity to put their hand up for the World Cup and get into the starting XV - not just about getting in the 30-man squad.

“I rested a number of players before the Ireland match to look at some combinations and now a number of those players - Kelly Brown, Nathan Hines, John Barclay and Al Kellock - come into the starting line-up.”

Brown, Hines, Barclay and Kellock, who returns as captain after holding the role throughout the RBS 6 Nations campaign, are near certainties to travel to New Zealand as four of the most accomplished and experienced members of the squad.

Kellock was the only member of the group involved in the 10-6 win over Ireland, the second row making a cameo appearance off the bench.

Robinson was satisfied with the team’s performance against Ireland as he assessed each individual.

He said: “I was pleased with the way the team played, the shape that we had.

“For us not to concede a try was really pleasing, but to keep playing for 80 minutes as well and for Joe Ansbro to score was pleasing.”