Scotland have announced their squad to face Italy in their opening Six Nations clash on February 5 in Rome.

McGeechan has named a 23-man squad for the game, with one member set to drop out at the weekend.

With Leslie still to prove his fitness, the Scotland coach has opted to include James McLaren as cover at centre with Glasgow Caledonians winger Alan Bulloch included for the first time.

In the forwards, Northampton prop Matt Stewart has been given the nod over veteran Newcastle George Graham.

And, while McGeechan noted the strengths of back row Cammy Mather, he needs two specialist number eights in his party, so Stuart Reid is named with Gordon Simpson.

Simpson and Edinburgh Reivers' Martin Leslie will both miss matches for their Super District this weekend as they attempt to overcome niggling injuries which should clear up by the time the squad fly to Rome for their first championship game against the Italians.

Cammie Murray (shoulder) and Peter Walton (neck) were not considered due to injury.

Leslie is the first New Zealander ever to skipper Scotland although his English-born coach also had the experience of being an exile to captain his country.

Not only is the former Otago Super 12 player a major influence on the Scottish side, his vast experience and midfield partnership with fly-half Gregor Townsend was a major factor in Scotland's Five Nations-winning campaign last season.

Leslie is due to be married in New Zealand at the weekend and will fly to Edinburgh on Sunday.

"When I came over to Scotland 14 months ago I could never have envisaged the direction my rugby career would take," he said.

"To be selected for Scotland in the first instance was, and remains, a huge honour. To be chosen to captain the side is an additional privilege.

"My fitness is strong and I am very much looking forward to leading the guys in the defence of our championship title."

G Metcalfe (Glasgow Caledonians), S Longstaff (Glasgow Caledonians), K Logan (Wasps), A Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), J Mayer (Bristol), J Leslie (Newcastle, cpt), J McLaren (Bourgoin), G Townsend (Brive), D Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), B Redpath (Narbonne), A Nicol (Glasgow Caledonians), T Smith (Brive), M Stewart (Northampton), D Hilton (Glasgow Caledonians), G Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), R Russell (Saracens), D Weir (Newcastle), S Murray (Saracens), S Grimes (Newcastle), B Pountney (Northampton), M Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), G Simpson (Glasgow Caledonians), S Reid (Narbonne).