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Italy vs Scotland Preview & Tips - Scotland backed for tight win over Italy in the Six Nations
- Scotland have won eight of their last nine away games against Italy
- The last three meetings between the sides at the Stadio Olimpico have been won by 1-12 points
- Preview, stats & head to head
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Finn Russell of Scotland (Getty Images)
Italy vs Scotland Preview & Tips
Italy are looking to build on a battling 34-19 win over Chile in their last match back in November as they take to the field for the first time this year.
Scotland need to start strongly in 2026, with the side losing two of their final three matches in 2025.
- Italy have been beaten in eight of their last nine home games against Scotland
- The last five meetings between the sides have seen the winning margin stand at between 1-12 points
Head To Head
Scotland have won nine of their last 10 against Italy, with the Italians winning once back in 2024.
Italy Form
Italy begin their Six Nations campaign looking to better their fifth-placed finish after they secured one win across their five matches last season.
While their return in 2025 does not sound particularly great, they pushed Scotland and Ireland close, while they beat Wales 22-15. Their defeats to France (73-24) and England (47-24) were heavy, but they have shown positive improvements of late.
Across the latter-stages of 2025, Italy beat Australia, lost to South Africa and then beat Chile. The Italians have been able to build on an attack that can be incisive, while they have added a stronger defence along with a side that is less inclined to consistently cough up penalties.
With players that ply their trade across the top European leagues, Italy are proving that they are no longer there just to make up the numbers. While I predict a tight match in which Italy look to play fast and loose, I believe that they will begin their campaign with a defeat against a side that have had their number for some time now.
Scotland Form
Scotland have continually frustrated in the international game, with the side unable to make the most out of a very talented pool of players that boasts power and pace across their squad.
Gregor Townsend has rung the changes ahead of the opener, with Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn all missing. The trio have brought pace, power and the ability to excel in broken play, but they will not play a part from the off, although Graham is on the bench.
While the Scottish have not always been great on the road in the Six Nations, I fancy them to win their opener. The pair are well-matched in open play, but I predict that Finn Russell will prove the difference at 10. The fly-half continually performs whether he is playing for Scotland, Bath or the Lions, and I back him to impress once again.
The last five matches involving the pair have been decided by 1-12 points, and I back this to be the margin of victory for Scotland once again.
Verdict
I am backing the Scottish to secure a win in their opener as they notch a victory by 1-12 points.
Scotland
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