Scotland and Italy square off in Rome on Saturday looking to salvage something from a 2022 Six Nations that has gone badly awry for both teams.
Scotland were dreaming of a first title in the tournament since 1999 when they beat England in round 1 to win back-to-back Calcutta Cup matches for the first time in 38 years but a narrow defeat to an average Wales and a heavier one to a rampaging France have followed.
Meanwhile, Italy’s wait for a first win in a Six Nations game since 2015 continues after losses to France, England and then Ireland - where they were reduced to 13 men after being on the wrong end of the vagaries of an obscure World Rugby law - as any signs of hope emerging from a young Azzurri side invariably seem to be immediately extinguished.
On Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico, the two countries will also be competing for the Cuttitta Trophy for the first time. The trophy is named after Massimo Cuttitta - a former prop who won 70 caps for Italy and went on to be Scotland’s scrum coach for six years from 2009 - who died in April last year, aged 54, after contracting Covid.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game:
When is Italy v Scotland?
The match will kick-off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 12 March at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on ITV with coverage starting from 1.30pm. It will also be available to stream live and for free on the ITV Hub and ITV website
What’s the team news?
Ali Price is set for his 50th Test cap when he starts at scrum half for Scotland on Saturday and will have the familiar face of Finn Russell outside him to complete a potent half-back partnership but Gregor Townsend has opted for five changes to the side that lost to France in round three.
Sam Johnson comes into the centres for the first time since the opening win over England and Kyle Steyn makes his first Six Nations start on the wing in place of Duhan van der Merwe - who is suspended after getting sent off for club side Worcester Warriors against London Irish during the rest week.
In the forwards, Matt Fagerson returns from injury at No 8, Hamish Watson is back at flanker after recovering from Covid and George Turner is named to start at hooker ahead of Stuart McInally. On the bench, Adam Hastings could make his first appearance of this year’s Six Nations after the experiment of Blair Kinghorn as the replacement fly half yielded fairly abject results.
Meanwhile, Italy have made two injury-enforced changes as they pursue that elusive Six Nations win, with Callum Braley replacing Stephen Varney at scrum-half and Giacomo Nicotera making his debut at hooker after Gianmarco Lucchesi suffered a dislocated elbow. The rest of the side is the same as the impressive Michele Lamaro captains the Azzurri from the back row and talismanic fly half Paolo Garbisi pulls the strings from No 10.
Line-ups
Italy XV: 15. Edoardo Padovani; 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Leonardo Marin, 11. Montanna Ioane; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Pietro Ceccarelli, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Giovanni Pettinelli, 7. Michele Lamaro (c), 8. Toa Halafihi
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Ivan Nemer, 18. Giosuè Zilocchi, 19. David Sisi, 20. Manuel Zuliani, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Marco Zanon, 23. Ange Capuozzo
Scotland XV: 15. Stuart Hogg; 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Kyle Steyn; 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Sam Skinner, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Rory Darge, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Allan Dell, 18. WP Nel, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Magnus Bradbury, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Adam Hastings, 23. Sione Tuipulotu
Odds
Italy win: 9/1
Draw: 45/1
Scotland win: 1/14
Prediction
I think pretty much everyone of a non-Scottish persuasion would love to see Italy upset the apple cart here but despite losses in the previous two rounds, this Scotland side are too talented to slip up in Rome. The game will likely be over as a contest heading into the final 20 minutes. Italy 13-35 Scotland.
