1 Set-Piece: A no-brainer at the best of times, as the scrum and line-out platforms are the fundamentals of the game.

However, the Scots have to overcome a big - actually, make that very big - setback now that the lighthouse lock Richie Gray has been ruled out. The elder of the Gray brothers has been Scotland's go-to guy on the touchlines recently, but his bulk in the scrum has been just as important. Richie's place will be taken by either Jim Hamilton or Tim Swinson, but his absence puts even more responsibility on the broad shoulders of kid brother Jonny Gray. The younger sibling has played with remarkable maturity this season, but this could be his biggest test yet.

2 Finishing: This has been Scotland's most critical weakness for a number of seasons. There has been little wrong with the way they have built pressure and created chances, but they have struggled to turn promising field positions into points on the scoreboard. They had many more clear scoring opportunities than Wales last weekend, but the Welsh showed their experience and maturity by being far more efficient near the line. Scotland can expect a less structured game from Italy than they have experienced against France and Wales in the championship, so broken-play specialists like Mark Bennett and Stuart Hogg will have to make the most of the chances that will almost certainly come their way.

3 Defence: This has probably been the most heartening aspect of Scotland's two games so far. They were superb against France on the championship's opening weekend, nullifying one of the most feared attacks in world rugby. They fell off a little against Wales, but one of the two tries they conceded was when they were a man down. Italy will offer a different and probably less predictable challenge. The Azzurri helped themselves to three tries against England, who were probably guilty of underestimating the threat they posed. Under coach Jacques Brunel, Italy are not afraid to move the ball wide so the Scots will have to be on their guard against the swift counter-attack.

4 Discipline: Scotland can expect no favours from referee George Clancy next weekend. The Irish whistler has taken charge of the Scots in four Six Nations games - and they have lost the lot. He also yellow-carded two Scottish players in the notorious clash with Wales in Cardiff in 2010 (although, in fairness, he sent two Welshmen to the sin-bin in Edinburgh the following year). The Scots shipped 10 points while Finn Russell was off the pitch last weekend, so keeping the numbers up is critical. They have also given away too many soft penalties and easy points in their two games this year and they have to tighten up their breakdown play if that pattern is to change.

5 The Kicking Game: There were a few loose kicks against Wales, but a more significant failing was the way the Scots lost the aerial battle. The Welsh were streets ahead when it came to winning the ball in the air. If Finn Russell's ban is overturned then he will need to be more precise about where and when he kicks. Scotland have played too much rugby in their own half in their games so far and they should be confident enough in their own line-out - especially against Italy - to play for territory more often. Greig Laidlaw also needs to be judicious in his use of kicking as an attacking option, although it is certainly an area of his game that has been much improved.