Six Nations: Scotland need a win in Italy to rejuvenate Six Nations campaign

Scots need a win

Scotland will be aiming to breathe life back into an exasperating Six Nations campaign when they travel to rock-bottom Italy on Saturday.

The Scots were widely considered dark horses for the title when the Championship kicked off last month, but back-to-back defeats against Wales and France have left them in dire need of a convincing victory in Rome.

It all started so brightly with a 20-17 victory at home to England, but Gregor Townsend’s side came in for criticism for their performance in Cardiff, which was followed up by a drubbing at the hands of the Grand Slam-chasing French on home turf.

Italy's losing streak

At least a clash with an Azzurri side that has lost its last 35 Six Nations matches in a row seems like the perfect chance to get things back on track.

That’s reflected in the odds, with Italy priced at 13 to get their first win since 2015, and a Scottish victory at 1.09.

Kieran Crowley’s side will be throwing everything at this match though, as it’s their final home game and likely their best chance this year to end that long losing streak.

The Azzurri’s overall home record against Scotland is good, with six wins in their 14 games in Italy. But there have been Scottish victories in the last 10 meetings, and the Scots have won their last four trips to the Stadio Olimpico.

Despite high pre-tournament expectations, the Six Nations trophy will once again elude Scotland

Changes for both sides

Crowley’s debut campaign has been a frustrating one so far, featuring losses to France (37-10), England (33-0) and Ireland (57-6), although they were left with 13 men for more than an hour in Dublin.

The New Zealander has made two injury-enforced changes to his team for Saturday, with Callum Braley starting at scrum-half and Giacomo Nocetera making his debut at hooker.

There was a lot of talk around whether Townsend might choose to drop playmaker Finn Russell after hooking him off during the defeat to France, but the fly-half has kept his place, with the recalled Adam Hastings on the bench.

British and Irish Lion winger Duhan van der Merwe is suspended after being sent off for Worcester last weekend, so Kyle Steyn will make his first Six Nations start, while Matt Fagerson and Hamish Watson return from injury and George Turner is restored at hooker.

Flanker Rory Darge was the bright spark in Scotland’s defeat in Week 3, scoring a try and making several turnovers in an impressive starting debut, and a keen eye will be trained on his performance in the number six shirt.

Italy will go all out in front of their home crowd against a vulnerable Scotland side, but the gulf in quality between the sides means it would still take real boldness to back an Italian victory.

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