Rugby Union

Scotland Vs Italy Preview, Prediction, Team News And Confirmed Lineups Ahead Of Six Nations Clash

James Chittick Sports Editor

Published31 Jan 2025

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Here’s our Scotland Vs Italy preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.

Scotland Vs Italy Preview

Saturday sees Scotland host Italy in round one of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations.

Gregor Townsend’s Scots are expected to do well this season, and some are tipping them as possible tournament winners.

There are still question marks around their ability to deliver in big games, though. Furthermore, Scotland have been known to pull off one great result, then fail to back it up the following week.

That needs to change if they want to become serious contenders, and Saturday’s clash with Italy is a great chance to start the competition off with a win.

Last season saw the Azzurri secure a dramatic, 31-29 victory in Rome, but they haven’t beaten Scotland in Edinburgh since 2015.

Italy are the underdogs, with the best UK rugby betting sites putting them as 10/1 outsiders. Scotland, meanwhile, are 1/12 favourites to win on home soil.

You can find a more detailed breakdown of Scotland Vs Italy stats here. The game kicks off at 14:15 GMT on Saturday, live on BBC1.

Scotland Vs Italy Team News

Scotland:

Your Scotland team to kick off @SixNationsRugby against Italy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/KPry9XuMhM pic.twitter.com/d32ZnrMgf1

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 30, 2025

Stafford McDowall comes in for injured captain Sione Tuipulotu, while Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry are both set for their first caps in two years.With Tuipulotu out, the side will be co-captained by fly-half Finn Russell and flanker Rory Darge.

ing McDowall in midfield is his Glasgow teammate, veteran Huw Jones.

Ben White starts at nine, despite limited game time with Toulon this season.

In the back three, Duhan van der Merwe has overcome an ankle knock to start on the wing, with Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn ing him.

The forwards feature both Fagerson brothers, with Zander starting at tighthead and Matt at number eight.

Italy:

🚨 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

🇮🇹 Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his team for Saturday's game at Murrayfield pic.twitter.com/kTNwcnmG5V

— Scotland Rugby News (@ScotRugbyNews) January 30, 2025

For the Italians, veteran fly-half Tommaso Allan shifts to fullback, with Monty Ioane and the electric Ange Capuozzo on the wings.

Last year’s player of the tournament, Tommaso Menoncello, is fit to start in midfield alongside Argentinian-born Juan Ignacio Brex. Paolo Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo are the half-backs.

In the forwards, it’s an experienced front row of Ferrari, Nicotera and Fischetti, while former England U20s player Dino Lamb starts in the second row.

Skipper Michele Lamaro s the big ball-carrying threat of Sebastian Negri in the back row, along with Lorenzo Cannone.

Scotland Vs Italy Confirmed Lineups

Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Will Hurd, Gregor Brown, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe.

Italy: Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo, Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti.

Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Riccioni, Niccolò Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Simone Gesi.

Scotland Vs Italy Prediction

Italy have been improving steadily over the last few seasons. Their memorable victory over Scotland in last year’s Six Nations will give them confidence on Saturday.

But it’s been ten years since they beat the Scots at Murrayfield, and we think home advantage will make all the difference.

A lot depends on which Italian side turns up, but Scotland should have enough to get the win.

Prediction: Scotland 19-13 Italy