SCOTLAND take on Italy in final last Six Nations match at Murrayfield this year.
Defeat to Ireland ended the Scots' hopes of a first title since 1999 but they could still finish as high as second if they win their last two games.
SIX NATIONS ODDS, BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
Italy, meanwhile, are already guaranteed a sixth straight wooden spoon as they once again attempt to secure a first Six Nations win since 2015.
What time does Scotland vs Italy kick off?
- Scotland's clash with Italy will get underway from 2.15pm TODAY.
- The game will take place in Scotland at Murrayfield.
- There will be no fans in attendance at the clash because of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
- The sides last met in November when Scotland ran out 28-17 winners in the Autumn Nations Cup in Rome.
What TV channel is Scotland vs Italy on and can I live stream it?
- Scotland's final Six Nations game with Italy will be shown live on BBC One.
- The clash is available for live streaming from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
- Coverage of the game will begin from 1.45pm.
- DMAX is the Six Nations broadcaster in Italy.
Can I watch Scotland vs Italy for free?
- Yes, the game is available for FREE on BBC One, so long as you have a TV licence.
- You can also catch the action on the BBC iPlayer.
Team news
Captain Stuart Hogg will represent Scotland at fly-half for the first time as Gregor Townsend makes seven changes to the side that lost to Ireland.
That move sees Sean Maitland move to full-back and Darcy Graham come in on the wing.
Zander Fagerson returns from suspension following his red card in Round Two against Wales.
Full-back Edoardo Padovani makes his first Six Nations start for Italy, one of four changes Franco Smith has made to his line-up.
He replaces Jacopo Trulla, who has been released to his club.
Federico Mori replaces Carlo Canna at inside-centre while Marco Riccioni and Federico Ruzza replace Giosue Zilocchi and David Sisi respectively in the pack.
Latest odds
- Scotland – 1/66
- Draw – 66/1
- Italy – 14/1
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
What they said
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "Hoggy obviously covered 10 last week and has done so in previous games. We believe that gives us a better balance to the team.
"If he's going to be a reserve 10 in our squad at times this is a good opportunity to see him starting there.
"I think Stuart is one of the best full-backs in the world. He's played some outstanding games for us at full-back over the last number of years and been in great form this year.
"Full-back is his position but given his experience, his leadership, his ability and all-round skill-set, we see him being able to cover other positions as required."
Italy head coach Franco Smith: "We have a big challenge ahead of us," he said. "Our work during the week was excellent.
"We want to win on Saturday, closing the tournament in the best possible way and continuing on the path of becoming more and more competitive."
- Giacomo Pisa
TWO TO GO
Scotland still have two fixtures left to play in this year's Six Nations campaign.
Despite two losses on the bounce against Wales and Ireland, wins against Italy and France in their next two could still see Gregor Townsend's side finish second in the tournament.
- Giacomo Pisa
ITALY REPLACEMENTS
Franco Smith has these men at his disposal off the Italy bench this afternoon:
16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Andrea Lovotti, 18 Giosuè Zilocchi, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Maxime Mbanda, 21 Marcello Violi, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Marco Zanon
- Giacomo Pisa
SCOTLAND SUBS
These are the options off the bench for Gregor Townsend:
16 George Turner, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Nick Haining, 21 Ali Price, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Chris Harris
- Giacomo Pisa
ITALY STARTING XV
And here's how the visitors line-up at Murrayfield.
Full-back Edoardo Padovani makes his first Six Nations start for Italy as he replaces Jacopo Trulla in one of four changes Franco Smith has made to his line-up.
Federico Mori replaces Carlo Canna at inside-centre while Marco Riccioni and Federico Ruzza replace Giosue Zilocchi and David Sisi respectively in the pack.
15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney
1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Luca Bigi (c), 3 Marco Riccioni, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza, 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Johan Meyer, 8 Michele Lamaro
- Giacomo Pisa
SCOTLAND STARTING XV
Skipper Stuart Hogg starts at fly-half for the first time as Gregor Townsend makes seven changes to the side that lost to Ireland.
Sean Maitland slots in to full-back for Scotland and Darcy Graham comes in on the wing.
Zander Fagerson also returns from suspension following his red card in Round Two against Wales.
15 Sean Maitland, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Stuart Hogg (c), 9 Scott Steele
1 Rory Sutherland, 2 David Cherry, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson
- Giacomo Pisa
GOOD AFTERNOON
Welcome to our live blog of what was supposed to be the final day of the 2021 Six Nations.
Last week’s scheduled clash between France and Scotland being postponed due to a Coronavirus outbreak in the French camp means that the tournament actually comes to an end on Friday.
However a Welsh win today would turn that game into a dead rubber, with Wayne Pivac’s side able to clinch a Grand Slam with victory in Paris later on this evening.
Scotland vs Italy gets us underway first though, with the Azzurri still seeking a first Six Nations win since 2015.
It’s a losing run that currently stands at a whopping THIRTY-ONE games.
Scotland meanwhile have gone off the boil since beating England at Twickenham in the first game of the tournament, losing both games since then against Wales and Ireland.
Both defeats have been close games, going down by one point to Wales and three points to Ireland last week.
Italy on the other hand have not restricted a team to less than forty points so far this tournament, but have shown some signs of life this year under head coach Franco Smith.
They’ll be hoping to end their campaign on a positive note today.
Kick off is at 2.15pm and the full team news is coming up next.
Source: Read Full Article
