The Six Nations promise for Scotland has turned into a familiar disappointment, but coach Gregor Townsend hopes to end it on a high.
After beating England in the tournament opener, Scotland seemed set to contest the title for the first time since 1999.
Back-to-back defeats against France and Wales ended the Scots’ title hopes. Instead, they looked nervously at the possibility of a repeat of the more recent battles with Italy in order to keep the wooden spoon from falling on their heads.
On Saturday, the Stadio Olimpico will host the Italians and Scots.
Scotland and Wales have five points each, which is more than Italy. Townsend is aware that the Azzurri have lost 35 consecutive games in the championship, since beating Scotland in 2015.
He stated, “We must create our own game and be precise and disciplined about it.” We must not allow Italy to enter the game in any way that is easy. We are confident that they will play with passion and aggression.
“They were the stronger team the first half of the game on both the last two occasions we played in Rome and Florence.” Although we were able to win both of our games, it is not possible for us to do so again. We have to win at both the beginning and end of each game.
After defeat to Wales by the same scoreline, and a 36-17 defeat by France, Scotland’s victory over England 20-17 is now a distant memory.
Scotland will play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Townsend stated that “the tournament has not gone the way we planned or hoped it would,” “We have suffered two losses that are disappointing. Both of those defeats were disappointing. We are aware that we could have done better.
We feel that if our performances are good, we can compete with any other team around the globe. We are aware that facing a full crowd will be another test of our character and that’s why we want to prove it.”
Townsend made five changes to France’s side, giving Kyle Steyn, winger, his first Six Nations start since the Duhan van der Merwe ban.
Steyn was a bench player against France in the 2020 tournament and made his debut test against Tonga last November with four attempts.
Van der Merwe will be absent from the remainder of the championship as he was expelled last weekend while playing for Worcester.
Last time Italy faced Ireland, it was hit with ill discipline. It finished with 12 players and lost 57-6. However, the Italian team earned plaudits because of their sustained and spirited efforts.
After Gianmarco Luchesi was hurt against Ireland, Giacomo Nicotera will make his debut as a hooker. Nicotera is being covered by Luca Bigi, an ex-captain. Stephen Varney is injured and Callum Braley will be at scrumhalf.
Pietro Ceccarelli, Italy’s prop, stated that “we have an effective team that is working hard as we are in each match to get important results.” “It was a difficult match against Ireland, where we found ourselves in a complex situation. During the match, we were united by the spirit of sacrifice, which is our identity.”
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Lineups:
Italy: Edoardo Padovani, Pierre Bruno, Juan Ignacio Brex, Leonardo Marin, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Callum Braley; Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (captain), Giovanni Pettinelli, Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone, Pietro Ceccarelli, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti. Reserves: Luca Bigi, Ivan Nemer, Giosue Zilocchi, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Marco Zanon, Ange Capuozzo.
Scotland: Darcy Graham (captain), Stuart Hogg, Chris Harris and Sam Johnson. Sam Johnson, Kyle Steyn. Finn Russell, Ali Price. Matt Fagerson. Hamish Watson. Rory Darge. Grant Gilchrist. Sam Skinner. Zander Fagerson. George Turner. Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Stuart McInally; Allan Dell; WP Nel Jamie Hodgson Jamie Hodgson Magnus Bradbury Adam Hastings Sione Tuipulotu
