Six Nation 2010: Italy v Scotland match preview

By Alasdair Reid Published: 5:05PM GMT twenty-six Feb 2010

Blue on blue: Italy manager Nick Mallett goes head-to-head with Andy Robinson"s side Scotland in Rome Photo: ACTION IMAGES/PA

Six Nations Championship

Saturday Feb twenty-seven

Thom Evans earnings to Scotland Quick round is essential, says Brown Carry on jumping Cusiter maintains concentration Italy stop for fit-again Del Fava Sport on radio

Italy v Scotland Stadio Flaminio, Rome, ItalyKick-off: 14:30 GMT TV: BBC1 1pm, BBCHD 1pm, BBC Red Button 1pm

Touchline duel

Italy"s Nick Mallett and Scotland"s Andy Robinson are dual of the majority sexually committed coaches in the game. Both have a absolute loathing of losing, nonetheless both have been all as well informed with the feeling lately. Mallett has been indicted of disastrous tactics, but Robinson will remind his lot that Italy ran England close dual weeks ago.

Key conflict

Control the relapse and your median to winning the game, so the competition in between the dual opensides is critical. Twelve years of exam rugby have taught Mauro Bergamasco a thing or dual about negligence things down, but Scotland"s young-gun John Barclay is guidance fast and will be concerned to secure discerning ball.

Talking Tactics

The scrum has been a disaster in as well most games recently, and it is critical that arbitrate Dave Pearson gets a hold on things early in that area. Italy take honour in the set-piece, where Leicester"s Martin Castrogiovanni is there rock, but Scotland have the strong Euan Murray as well. Will the improved man be authorised to prevail?

Teams

Italy: L McLean; A Masi, G Canale, G Garcia, M Bergamasco; C Gower, T Tebaldi; S Perugini, L Ghiraldini (captain), M Castrogiovanni, Q Geldenhuys, M Bortolami, J Sole, M Bergamasco, A Zanni. Replacements: F Ongaro, M Aguero, C Del Fava, P Derbyshire, P Canavosio, R Bocchino, K Roberston. Scotland: H Southwell; S Danielli, M Evans, G Morrison, S Lamont; D Parks, C Cusiter (capt); A Jacobsen, R Ford, E Murray, J Hamilton, A Kellock, K Brown, J Barclay, J Beattie.Replacements: S Lawson, A Dickinson, N Hines, A Strokosch, M Blair, P Godman, N De Luca.Referee: Dave Pearson (England)