Olympic Stadium, Turin, kick-off 7pm BST
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
After six defeats on the trot, most recently last week’s 28-22 loss to Ireland, Scotland are in real need of a morale-boosting win. For some of the individuals in the team, this is their only chance to secure a place in the squad for the Rugby World Cup.
GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM
That defeat in Dublin at least showed that Scotland have improved a bit over the summer - and the team that Vern Cotter has selected for this match is notably stronger. John Hardie, Stuart McInally and Rory Hughes can all be expected to put in big performances on their debuts, while scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, starting a Test for the first time, will also relish the chance to show what he can do. What is more, Italy have chosen a relatively inexperienced side for their first World Cup warm-up match.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
No matter who the Italians select, their pack will always be competitive and they will always back themselves to beat Scotland. Last time out at Murrayfield the home team would have had the game dead and buried but for their inability to halt the Italian maul. That inability cost them the match, as they conceded a last-minute penalty try to lose 19-22.
KEY CONTEST
The Italians have left out their best player and captain, No 8 Sergio Parisse, but in 87-times-capped openside Alessandro Zanni they have a man who on his day can be almost as influential. Up against him, Hardie, playing a match for the first time since leaving the Highlanders in New Zealand, needs to prove himself faster, fitter and more quick-witted.
TACTICAL BATTLE
Duncan Weir is back at stand-off and will line up against Scots-Italian Tommy Allan. Weir’s biggest strength is his kicking from hand, but he will also want to provide a lot of ball for his powerful backs to run on to. If he chooses his options more wisely than Allan does, Scotland will be halfway to claiming a valuable victory.
PREDICTION
Italy 14 Scotland 22
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