Orlandi calls for face-saving win

Scant consolation: Italy cross for Paris score

Assistant coach Carlo Orlandi admits Italy need to deliver on their promise against Scotland on Saturday if they are to avoid the ignominy of a winless Six Nations campaign.

Last weekend's 25-13 defeat against France in Paris marked Italy's fourth loss in this year's tournament and left the Azzurri bottom of the pile with just one round of fixtures remaining.

Not since 2005 have the Italians failed to win at least one game in a Six Nations tournament and the pressure is on Nick Mallett's men to perform against the Scots, who themselves have managed just one victory - against England last weekend.

If Italy beat Scotland by five points or more, the Scots will be consigned to the bottom of the pile for the second year in a row, and Orlandi is all too aware that this weekend represents a face-saving opportunity for the Azzurri.

"The game against Scotland is the last possibility we have of getting a positive result in the tournament," Orlandi said.

"In the first four games, despite defeats, we have done a lot but the time has come to reap the rewards."

Since joining the championship in 2000, Italy have beaten Scotland twice, including last year's 37-17 triumph at Murrayfield that marked their first win away from Rome's Stadio Flaminio.

However, the Italians would be unwise to take Frank Hadden's players lightly in the wake of their battling 15-9 win over England last Saturday that secured Scotland the Calcutta Cup.

"We don't think Scotland will be an easy rival," added Orlandi.

"We just consider this game to be open as recent history has shown and Saturday's game will be no exception.

"Scotland may not play a beautiful game but they have their own play, made up of tackles and combat and they were able to impose their play against England in Edinburgh.

"It will not be easy and we know it."