SIMONE FAVARO'S quest for self betterment will lead him to Glasgow this summer after signing a two-year deal with Warriors.

The Italy and Treviso flanker has agreed to join the GUINNESS PRO12 leaders in a move that will keep him in Scotstoun until May 2017.

Favoro, who is currently on Six Nations duty with his national side, already has 23 caps to his name and has run out for Treviso on 35 occasions.

The 26-year-old scored his first try for his country in a 24-13 win over Samoa last November and will likely go up against some of his new team-mates with Scotland set to play Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 28 February.

With Treviso currently bottom of the PRO12, Favaro is aware it will be a massive step up in quality if he is to cut it at high-flying Glasgow.

But the Italian is sure coming to Scotland and being a part of a squad that is dripping in depth and quality will only bring the best out of him.

He said: "I'm very excited about this opportunity to play overseas. I've played in Italy all of my career, so this is a new challenge for me.

"Glasgow Warriors are one of the top sides in the GUINNESS PRO12 and have performed well in Europe this season.

"I believe I can become an even better player working with the coaches in Glasgow and I'm looking forward to continuing my development in Scotland when I move there in the summer.

"At the moment my focus is on playing for my country in the RBS 6 Nations and then helping Benetton Treviso finish as high up the league as possible."

As well as his showings for Treviso and Italy, Favaro has played for Aironi on 30 occasions, while also representing Rugby Rovigo and Crociati RFC in the Italian Super 10 league.

At the age of 20 he became the youngest player to be named in Nick Mallett's Italy squad for the 2009 Six Nations, before going on to make his debut against Australia on the summer tour that year.

Speaking about the signing, Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend added: "Simone is an excellent signing for the club and he'll add more depth and competition for places in the back-row.

"He is a very committed player who tackles low and competes hard for ball in contact.

"Simone has played regularly in the GUINNESS PRO12 and in Europe and has more than 20 caps for his country, so he'll bring a lot of experience when he joins us in the summer.

"I believe he will develop further within our environment and with the ability of playing at either 6 or 7, he's going to increase our options in the back-row."

Meanwhile, Scotland will appeal against fly-half Finn Russell's suspension for the RBS 6 Nations match against Italy.

The 22-year-old was handed a three-week ban, reduced by a week for his clean record, following a collision with Wales counterpart Dan Biggar.

The Glasgow player avoided a lengthy ban as the Six Nations' disciplinary officers judged the incident during Sunday's 26-23 defeat to Wales to be "reckless rather than deliberate".

Russell collided with Biggar as his Wales counterpart leapt for a high ball into the Scotland half during the first period of Scotland's slender Murrayfield defeat. Ospreys playmaker Biggar landed in a heap, but avoided serious injury and was able to continue.

New Zealand referee Glen Jackson sin-binned Russell, but a Six Nations disciplinary committee ruled the offence warranted a red card following a hearing in London.

A statement added: "The committee considered it at the lower end of World Rugby's scale of seriousness, carrying a three-week suspension.

"It noted the absence of aggravating factors and the existence of certain mitigating factors, including the player's clear disciplinary record, in applying a one-week reduction from the entry point."

The Scottish Rugby Union quickly announced plans to challenge Russell's suspension, which would see him miss the Murrayfield clash with Italy on February 28 but be available for the subsequent games against England and Ireland.

A statement read: "We are disappointed by the outcome of today's discipline committee meeting, and subsequent suspension of stand-off Finn Russell.

"Following the arrival of the written sanction later this week, we intend to appeal."

Russell's club coach Townsend was in disbelief about the disciplinary decision.

Townsend wrote on Twitter: "I apologise to all those rugby players that I have coached in my career. Keeping your eye on the ball = 2 week ban."

News of Russell's suspension comes on top of losing three players to injury for the rest of the Six Nations campaign.

Lock Richie Gray (arm), props Gordon Reid (knee) and Jon Welsh (hand) all fell to injuries against Wales, but Gray's absence has handed a chance to Glasgow lock Tim Swinson.

Swinson missed the autumn Test series through injury and suffered a calf injury last month, but he returned to action with a try in Warriors' 54-10 win over Zebre on Sunday to force his way into Vern Cotter's plans.

And the 28-year-old is determined to keep himself there.

Swinson said: "Both injuries didn't happen at the best time for me but it's how you get back from them ands how much better you get. Over the last few weeks I have got stronger and worked really hard to get fit.

"I really want to carry on playing. Once you get here and train and play, you never want to leave. It's a fantastic atmosphere and feeling running out for your country. It really drives you to push yourself to get better and compete every day."

Swinson played under Cotter during the summer tour and feels Scotland should feel positive despite opening defeats to France and Wales.

"Watching the two games, you can see there is a huge amount of positives and a huge amount of go-forward and real improvement throughout the squad and a real drive to play Vern's style of rugby," he said.

"They have come away with two close losses which, although not ideal, really point to things improving. There is real hard work to improve, improve, improve and get a victory against Italy."

On Cotter, Swinson added: "He explains very well what he wants. It may not necessarily be what you have done before or what you are used to but it's very good to know what is wanted from you. That's a very good place to be for a player, knowing what you have got to do and where you have got to get to to get better."

Despite the positivity, the harsh reality is that Scotland again face another game against Italy that will be billed by some as a wooden-spoon decider.

But Swinson is determined to ignore such pressure.

"If you start focusing on external things, you won't be able to focus on your own performance, and it's your performance that will make you get better and make you win games," he said.

"You have to focus on yourselves and focus on the things we feel are important. Once we get those right, that's when we will get the victories."