Recap - Italy vs Scotland LIVE | Guinness Six Nations

Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between Italy and Scotland at Stadio Olimpico. 

Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).

Here are some of the big talking points ahead of the Rome clash:

Townsend under pressure

The Scotland coach faced questions over his future in the role after his side’s early World Cup exit in Japan but things have hardly improved so far this year following defeats to Ireland and England. The Finn Russell row has placed Gregor Townsend under even greater scrutiny but a win in Rome would relieve some of the stress from his shoulders.

(Continue reading below…)

Jim Hamilton and Darren Cave preview Scotland’s clash with Italy

Hogg’s spill ride

New captain Stuart Hogg asked to be given the responsibility of leadership before the tournament kicked-off but so far he appears to be struggling with the weight of the armband. 

The star full-back blew a certain try in Dublin when he dropped the ball on the try line while another slip led to England’s winning touchdown. But he took more care to plant down while scoring for club side Exeter against Gloucester last weekend and will now be hoping to make amends for his national side in the Eternal City.

Cummings in command

The loss of maverick playmaker Russell following his bust-up with Townsend has been blamed for the Dark Blues’ lack of creativity in the opposition 22 during their opening two Tests. But the hand injury which has ruled out Jonny Gray could yet turn out to be an even bigger blow to Scotland. 

With Italy ?? sitting at the foot of the @SixNationsRugby table and preparing for their crunch game with Scotland, it’s hard to ignore what have been several morale-sapping years

– but you should give them 2 years, suggests @alexshawsport ???https://t.co/uBPgmvkNQ4

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 20, 2020

The Glasgow lock is a tackle-machine who regularly clocks up ridiculous figures in the collision stakes. His Warriors team-mate Scott Cummings, 23, will now have to shoulder the responsibility of calling a line-out which stuttered badly against England last time out.

Azzurri’s awful run

Italy have gone five years since their last Six Nations win against the Scots at Murrayfield. Their miserable run has continued so far this year but while they slumped heavily in their opener against Wales, there were signs of progress under interim coach Franco Smith against tournament favourites France two weeks ago as they scored three times in a 35-22 defeat. As ever, they will be gunning for the Scots as they eye their best hope of snatching a long-awaited win.

WATCH: RugbyPass Rugby Explorer takes a trek through Italian rugby