| Six Nations: Italy v Scotland |
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| Date: Saturday, 27 February Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Kick-off: 14:25 GMT |
| Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Scotland & Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary |
TEAM NEWS & LINE-UPS
For the second Six Nations match running, Scotland make a game-day change, with Ryan Wilson replacing the injured Dave Denton in the back row.
Fit-again Scotland wing Tim Visser returns, with Sean Lamont dropping to a much-changed bench.
Also coming in as substitutes are Moray Low, Peter Horne, debutant prop Rory Sutherland and Josh Strauss is drafted in after Denton's withdrawal.
Italy have brought in Kelly Haimona to replace the injured Carlo Canna.
Full-back David Odiete returns from an ankle injury to replace Luke McLean, as lock Joshua Furno comes in for George Biagi, who broke a rib against England.
Meanwhile, veteran hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini returns to the front row, for his first international game since suffering a hamstring injury at the World Cup.
Italy: David Odiete, Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Gonzalo Garcia, Mattia Bellini, Kelly Haimona, Edoardo Gori; Andrea Lovotti, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Lorenzo Citttadini, Marco Fuser, Joshua Furno, Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni, Sergio Parisse.
Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso, Martin Castrogiovanni, Valerio Bernabo, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani, Andrea Pratichetti
Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Duncan Taylor, Tim Visser, Finn Russell, Grieg Laidlaw; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Willem Nel, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray; John Barclay, John Hardie, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland, Moray Low, Tim Swinson, Josh Strauss, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Peter Horne, Sean Lamont.
| This weekend's live TV and radio coverage | ||
|---|---|---|
| Six Nations coverage on the BBC | ||
| Fri, 26 Feb (20:05 GMT) | Wales v France | BBC One & Radio 5 live |
| Sat, 27 Feb (14:25 GMT) | Italy v Scotland | ITV & 5 live sports extra |
| Sat, 27 Feb (16:50 GMT) | England v Ireland | ITV & Radio 5 live |
COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alastair Eykyn: "It is a sadly familiar Six Nations story. Two rounds in, Italy and Scotland are scrapping to avoid the Wooden Spoon.
"The Azzurri should have beaten the French, and fell away after an hour against England.
"The Scots have been playing some good rugby without making it count on the scoreboard. The Calcutta Cup was tight, and they stretched Wales in Cardiff.
"Tim Visser is back for Scotland on the wing while the Italians have Leonardo Ghiraldini returning, but are without their injured playmaker Carlo Canna.
"This one's always tight, and both know it is their best chance to break their duck. Expect another nail-biter on the banks of the Tiber."
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Italy head coach Jacques Brunel: "If we look at Scotland's first two Six Nations games against England and Wales, they played two big matches - they could have won both.
"For us it will be a very difficult game. We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of thinking that it won't be.
"I think that Scotland are one of the most difficult teams to face."
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter: "Italy surprised France and England with their physicality, intensity and quality, all of which we will have to be ready for, and at least equal to, if we are to win in Rome this weekend.
"We have worked hard to improve our game and will stay true to the core values of this team, which is to work hard but stay calm; have belief in our systems, ourselves, and enjoy the opportunity."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Four of the last five tests between Italy and Scotland have been decided by four points or fewer.
- The teams met three times in 2015 - Scotland won the two most recent clashes but Italy won the Six Nations game.
Italy
- Italy have lost their last six home matches in the Six Nations since beating Ireland in 2013.
- Their only Six Nations win in the last 12 attempts came against Scotland in Edinburgh a year ago.
- Since the Six Nations began in 2000, Italy have won four times in the third round of matches - all those victories have come against Scotland.
Scotland
- Scotland have lost their last nine Six Nations matches, their worst run in the Championship since they lost 15 in a row between 1951 and 1955.
- Scotland have won just once on the road in the Six Nations since 2010 - in this fixture two years ago.
- In this season's Six Nations, Scotland have the poorest lineout success, losing six of 28 lineouts.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA)
Touch judges: Pascal Gauzere (FRA) & Nick Briant (NZL)
TMO: Graham Hughes (ENG)
