The penultimate weekend of the Six Nations gets underway as Scotland travel to face Italy in Rome.
Gregor Townsend’s side come into this match on a high, after Duhan van der Merwe’s hat-trick helped them to a Calcutta Cup victory over England a fortnight ago.
Scotland will feel they should be heading to Italy with three wins from three and eyeing a title showdown with Ireland next weekend, but they fell to a narrow defeat to France last month in controversial circumstances, as a late TMO call went against them.
It has been a positive campaign for them though and they sit second in the standings with two rounds of matches to go. Scotland have never finished in the top two of the Six Nations.
As for Italy, they were inches away from a famous win in France in their last match, only for Paolo Garbisi's last-gasp penalty to hit the post as they were forced to settle for a draw.
The Azzurri pushed England all the way too in their opening match, falling to a 27-24 defeat, and they have been evidently been more competitive. It is still just one win Six Nations win since 2015 though.
Italy vs Scotland date, kick-off time and venue
Italy vs Scotland takes place on Saturday March 9, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 2:15pm GMT.
The match will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
How to watch Italy vs Scotland
TV channel: Italy vs Scotland is being broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 1:30pm GMT.
Live stream: A live stream service can be accessed for free online via the ITVX app and ITVX website.
Italy vs Scotland team news
Marco Manfredi is out of the Italy squad with a calf injury, as Luca Bigi is called up for this weekend’s match.
Bigi previously captained Italy, handed the role ahead of the 2020 Six Nations, but has struggled for regular involvement recently, after an adductor injury ended his World Cup last year.
Lock Marshall Sykes has been called up by Scotland, his first time back in Townsend’s squad since 2022 as he replaces Alex Craig.
Rory Sutherland and Javan Sebastian have been recalled and Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Jamie Dobie is also involved, but WP Nel misses out.
Richie Gray, Jonny Gray and Cameron Henderson all remain unavailable, while Sione Tuipulotu picked up a knee injury against England and is expected to be out for at least eight weeks. Cameron Redpath could start in his place.
Italy vs Scotland lineups
The matchday squads will be announced later in the week. Check back in then to see the lineups in full.
Italy vs Scotland head to head (h2h) history and results
Italy have won eight times against Scotland, but they are currently on a long run without victory.
Scotland have not tasted defeat against Italy since losing at Murrayfield in the 2015 Six Nations, coming into this clash having won the last 13 matches between the two nations.
Italy wins: 8
Scotland wins: 28
Draws: 0
Italy vs Scotland prediction
Scotland have not lost in Rome for 12 years and should be confident of extending that record.
Only a controversial TMO call has denied them a real shot at the Six Nations title, though they have not yet produced a complete performance across 80 minutes.
They flew out of the blocks against Wales on the opening weekend but were then hanging on for dear life by the end of the match, while England actually made a strong start at Murrayfield before Van der Merwe’s magic.
Italy, meanwhile, gave England a scare and should have beaten France, suggesting they are more than capable of testing Scotland.
Townsend’s side are unlikely to rack up a huge score, but they should have enough to win and keep themselves second in the standings.
Scotland to win, by 10 points.
Italy vs Scotland match odds
Italy to win: 7/2
Scotland to win: 1/5
Draw: 25/1
