Preview: Italy v Scotland

Head to head: Sergio Parisse with Simon Taylor clinging on

Saturday's Six Nations clash between Italy and Scotland in Rome will have the rather inglorious task of deciding the Wooden Spoon.

So it boils down to this, Europe's two perennial underachievers going head-to-head for the right to avoid the cursed cutlery. Sadly that very fact alone may well render this a brutal slugfest rather than an exhibition of free-flowing rugby - all this despite Scotland being high on confidence once more.

Admittedly Scotland beat England, winning back the Calcutta Cup in the process, but we are none the wiser as to what Scotland could achieve - one hopes Saturday will bring forth those answers. For last week's victory born out of boot and brawn. Paterson and Parks notched the penalties and the rest of Frank Hadden's troops laid their bodies on the line in a relentless manner.

Those mundane tactics may work against a side seemingly playing to lose, as England obviously were, but they won't wash in Rome. The victory, and ensuing back-slapping among the Scottish, serves only to cover the faults that still riddle Scotland's game - none more so than the continued inability to score tries.

Certain games, and prevailing weather conditions, are not conducive to running rugby - as may have been the case in Edinburgh on Saturday. However it is now seven outings since Scotland scored more than two tries in a game, and even then the last time it happened it was against Romania. In the seven games since they have managed just two tries, hardly surprising then that five of them have ended in defeat then.

The time is nigh for Hadden to chance his arm, to encourage a style of rugby that will reap more substantial rewards than the three-point offerings that have become so commonplace over the last year. Truth be known Scotland have nothing to lose - so what if they are trumped in Italy and end up with the Wooden Spoon - this is about the bigger picture.

The longer they stay in this tryless rut the harder it will be to break free from the shackles that are hindering their rugby at present. Granted there is a certain degree of ignominy attached to 'winning' the Wooden Spoon, but at the same time one can't chastise Scotland for trying to develop a more potent attacking game - even if it does result in another defeat.

Much the same can be said of their opponents, although Italy can argue that they have rather more limited resources at their disposal. The continuation of Andrea Masi, a centre by trade, at fly-half gives you an insight into the lack of quality at Nick Mallett's disposal. That said, in certain positions he is blessed with world-class players.

In Sergio Parisse he has a captain who deserves better - better than the constant scrap in games as his side tries, often in vain, to eke out wins - but is destined for little more at international level. Parisse epitomises the Italian way, full of running and endeavour, but ultimately little to show for his exertions.

Under Mallett the Azzurri have shown signs of flourishing, but no sooner do they seem to be evolving than they revert to type - a game centred around their forward pack, which is both predictable and easy to defend. At least when they put width into their game headway is made, now just for the finishing touches.

Italy are no strangers to the Wooden Spoon, and so we may see a certain amount of carefree rugby from them as they bid to avoid a sixth one in nine years of Six Nations rugby. They must win by five points or more to condemn their visitors to the Wooden Spoon, in Scottish terms that is just two penalties, but one senses Italy will view it as a try - such is the difference in the team's mentality.

Maybe a flowing Italian attacking game will encourage the Scots to try the same - we can at least hope this is the case. If Hadden opts for the brutal approach Scotland will be hard pushed to top the Azzurri pack, meaning adventure must be the order of the day.

Ones to Watch:

For Italy: It is not easy to fill Mauro Bergamasco's boots but that is the task currently being taken on by Alessandro Zanni. He has benefited from Bergamasco's gouging incident and has taken to the seven shirt like the proverbial duck to water. He battled well against France, complementing Parisse's style with fleet-footed breaks and endless work at the breakdown. The same again will be required against Scotland, especially if the game is played out between two sizeable packs.

For Scotland: With just three caps to his name Alasdair Strokosch is fast becoming a key member of the Scottish back-row. His chance came about when Jason White was ruled out with injury, and such was his impact that he is now keeping White out of the starting XV - not an easy job. A mix of raw power and pace combine well to give Strokosch a dynamic yet hard edge. He will thrive on the physical aspect that this game will have, but be ready to stretch the legs if it opens up.

Head-to-Head: With Simon Taylor back in the Scotland ranks, and Sergio Parisse at the helm of the Italian ship we are in for a cracking battle between the two number eights. Taylor has never enjoyed a decent run without injury, and there is great hope that this is now his time. His opposite number is a player of undoubted ability, yet Parisse is eternally frustrated, spending most of his time on the losing side - this despite his constant stellar performances. Prepare for a fine battle of brain and brawn on Saturday then as both players strive for an all-important victory - and bragging rights on the Stade Français training ground!

Recent Results:

2007: Scotland won 18-16 at St.Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne

2007: Italy won 37-17 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2006: Scotland won 13-10 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome

2005: Scotland won 18-10 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2004: Italy won 20-14 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome

2003: Scotland won 47-15 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2003: Scotland won 33-25 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2002: Scotland won 29-12 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome

2001: Scotland won 23-19 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

2000: Italy won 34-20 at Stadio Flaminio, Rome

1999: Scotland won 30-12 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

1998: Italy won 25-21 at Stadio di Monigo, Treviso

1996: Scotland won 29-22 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Prediction: With Scotland's inability to score tries and Italy's eagerness to play a more expansive game we can expect an interesting game. Italy will win, but it will be touch-and-go as to weather they avoid the Wooden Spoon or not. Italy by six points.

Italy: 15 Andrea Marcato, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Mirco Bergamasco, 11 Ezio Galon, 10 Andrea Masi, 9 Simon Picone, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero

Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Salvatore Perugini, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Jacobus Erasmus, 20 Pietro Travagli, 21 Enrico Patrizio, 22 Alberto Sgarbi

Scotland: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Simon Webster, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Chris Paterson, 9 Mike Blair (c), 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Craig Smith, 19 Jason White, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Rory Lawson, 22 Dan Parks.

Date: Saturday, 15 March

Venue: Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Kick-off: 14:00 (13:00 GMT)

Weather: Sunny intervals with a slight southerly wind

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Touch judges: Chris White (England) and Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Television Match Official: Romain Poite (France)

By Marcus Leach