FRANK HADDEN has urged Scotland fans not to expect too much of Euan Murray when the prop makes his eagerly-anticipated Test return against Italy on Saturday. Head coach Hadden yesterday had no hesitation recalling tighthead Murray, who has recovered more quickly than expected from a rib injury suffered last month. The 28-year-old came through 80 minutes of Northampton’s English Premiership defeat at Wasps on Sunday unscathed.

His return is a boost to Scotland’s hopes of rescuing a Six Nations campaign that is developing into another battle to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. However, although expectations are high of a player who has been tipped to make the Lions team for this summer’s tour of South Africa, Hadden knows match fitness could be an issue.

“It’s a tough ask for him coming in out of the blue. It’s not going to be that easy for him to make the sort of impression that everyone would like him to make,” said Hadden. “There’s no doubt he’s a top-quality player and he brings bulk and experience to that row. But it’s going to be an interesting challenge.”

Hadden is also wary of overloading Murray with tactical information, an approach he believes led to Scotland’s downfall in their opening clash with Wales. He said: “As you’re aware, when you bring guys into club teams to play for the first team, they’re familiar with what the club are doing. When you bring guys in at international level, it’s not as straightforward as that.”

Murray is one of two changes to the team which lost 22-13 in France just over a week ago, with Glasgow captain Alastair Kellock earning an expected recall. Kellock has not started for his country for two years but a secondrow injury crisis made his selection almost inevitable.

Despite being left without a recognised lock in his squad when Jim Hamilton went off injured early on against France, Hadden has once again gone without a substitute secondrow.