Italy vs Scotland, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, odds
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 before.
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 an agonising draw.
The Azzurri pushed England all the way too in their opening match, eventually falling to a 27-24 defeat, and they have been evidently been more competitive, even in being shut out by Ireland in Dublin. 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, home of Italian rugby.
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.
Live stream: A live stream service can be accessed for free online via the ITVX app and ITVX website.
Italy vs Scotland team news
There are three changes from Italy after the draw in France, with former England Under-20 international Louis Lynagh - son of Australia legend Michael Lynagh - earning his first Azzurri start on the wing.
Federico Mori moves back to the bench, with Tommaso Menoncello switched back into midfield.
In the pack, Giosue Zilocchi is replaced by Simone Ferrari at tighthead prop, with Sebastian Negri back at blindside flanker after a rib issue and Lorenzo Cannone also on the bench after a leg injury as Exeter’s Ross Vintcent retains his starting spot at No8.
Scotland also make three changes to the side that beat England, with George Horne handed a rare start at scrum-half as Ben White is rested and Ali Price comes onto the bench.
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. Bath centre Cameron Redpath takes his place.
In the back row, Saracens flanker Andy Christie replaces former captain Jamie Ritchie, with Matt Fagerson back among the replacements along with Kyle Rowe.
Sione Tuipulotu is out of the Six Nations with a knee injury
Italy vs Scotland lineups
Italy XV: Capuozzo; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), Vintcent
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, L Cannone, Varney, Marin, Mori
Scotland XV: Kinghorn; Steyn, Jones, Redpath, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-c), Horne; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson; Gilchrist, Cummings; Christie, Darge (co-c), Dempsey
Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Ritchie, M Fagerson, Price, Rowe
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 a 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 sides.
Italy vs Scotland prediction
Scotland have not lost in Rome for 12 years and should be confident of extending that record on Saturday.
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 left 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.
Scotland are expected to continue a strong campaign in Rome
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.
