JONNY Gray believes that Scotland are in far better shape now than they were in the Six Nations - and fully intends to help prove it against Italy on Saturday.

The Glasgow lock is one of a number of big names recalled to the squad by head coach Vern Cotter after they sat out the first two Rugby World Cup warm-up matches - the 28-22 loss to Ireland in Dublin then the 16-12 win over Italy in Turin.

He knows that Scotland need to improve this weekend if they are to make it back-to-back wins against an Italian team who are also expected to bring back some of their best and most experienced players.

“I think our mindset is different from what it was at the start of the Six Nations,” he said yesterday. “That was hugely disappointing and it always hurts when you lose.

“But we have made big improvements since then and the squad is in a good place. We set goals every day in training and we’ve been reaching them.

“We put in a big performance against Ireland and it was great to get the win against a tough Italian side in Turin.

"It was a bit frustrating to watch it all, but then Vern has to look at everyone and everyone has to get a chance.

"I’ll get mine at the weekend and I’m very much looking forward to it.

“We knew whatever Italian side was put out that it would be tough. They’ve got such a strong squad and they’ve got dangerous backs too.

"We knew it was going to be tough and we hope to make improvements from last weekend.”

There will be a record crowd for a summer Test at Murrayfield after ticket sales surpassed the previous high of 35,264 - against Ireland in a warm-up match for the 2003 World Cup - on Monday night.

“It’s a massive thing to be playing in front of your own fans,” Gray continued. “We will have tremendous backing and it will be a very proud moment for us all.

“This is our last game at Murrayfield before the start of the World Cup and hopefully we can get things right. We know it will be tough, but we’ve prepared well.”

Greig Laidlaw has been named as captain for the match, while there are also first appearances of the summer in the squad of 25 for Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Mark Bennett, Tommy Seymour and Ryan Wilson.

Seymour was named in the squad for the match against Ireland but had to pull out because of injury. Wilson is only now available again after completing a six-month suspension from international duty following a conviction for assault.

Of those who remain in the squad following the release of seven players on Monday, only four have yet to be used at all.

Alex Dunbar is still recovering from injury, and will be given until the last possible moment to prove his fitness for the World Cup.

Sean Maitland is also returning from injury, Josh Strauss has yet to become eligible on medical grounds, and Chris Cusiter continues to train with his club, Sale Sharks.

In all there are 15 changes to the squad from the 25 who were initially named for last week’s win against the same opponents.

Scotland (v Italy at BT Murrayfield, Saturday, 3.15pm): Backs from: Mark Bennett, Stuart Hogg, Peter Horne (all Glasgow), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow), Matt Scott, Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh), Tim Visser (Harlequins).

Forwards from: John Barclay (Scarlets), Fraser Brown (Glasgow), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh), Jonny Gray, Rob Harley (both Glasgow), Stuart McInally, WP Nel (both Edinburgh), Gordon Reid (Glasgow), Jon Welsh (Newcastle), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow).