
Scotland vs Italy Prediction, Odds and Lineups: Underrated Azzurri well worth getting behind

Scotland and Italy begin their Six Nations campaign when they meet at Murrayfield on Saturday at 14:15, with the game being broadcast live on BBC One.
The Italians won last season's meeting 31-29 in Rome and, with the hosts missing captain Sione Tuipulotu, the Azzurri could push their hosts close in Edinburgh.
Read on for our prediction, the latest odds, and the starting lineups.
Scotland vs Italy Predictions
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend chose to explore the depth of his options by making changes for last March's game in Rome and he got caught out.
Tuipulotu aside, his squad looks stretched with lock Scott Cummings and wing Kyle Steyn also absent and several of those selected reportedly carrying knocks.
There are still several stars available, with co-captains flanker Rory Darge and fly-half Finn Russell ready to inspire their side.
However, the fact that Townsend has restored the pair to a shared leadership role demonstrates a lack of individuals capable of lifting their team and making the right decisions when required.
The opposite is true of Italy, with flanker Michele Lamaro aided by fellow forwards Giacomo Nicotera and Federico Ruzza.
Meanwhile, Paolo Garbisi and former Scotland age-group international Tommaso Allan form a strong playmaking axis, either side of centres Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex.
Gonzalo Quesada has built on predecessor Kieran Crowley's fine work and made the Azzurri more rounded, while they have also developed a collective composure.
Russell's presence alongside fellow backs Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn offers Scotland real star power and the hosts should make a winning start to their Six Nations campaign.
Despite that, there is still a feeling that Italy are underestimated in the market and there is real value in backing them to make the most of a double-digit start on the right side of evens.
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Wing Ange Capuozzo might be Italy's most potent attacking weapon and Scotland know what to expect after he announced himself with a brace off the bench when these sides met in 2022.
However, that can lead to him being covered by defenders, and centre Ignacio Brex is a player who is unafraid to take advantage.
The Buenos Aires-born 32-year-old was a late bloomer, making his Italy debut only in 2021 and his understated style, both with and without the ball, means his contribution is regularly overlooked.
Brex scored the Azzurri's first try in last year's win in Rome and although Tuipulotu's replacement Stafford McDowall and midfield partner Huw Jones have regularly played together for Glasgow, there could be gaps for the opposition centres to exploit.
Scotland vs Italy Odds
Scotland vs Italy Lineups
Scotland
The news that Scotland captain Tuipulotu will miss the tournament due to a pectoral injury means fly-half Russell and openside flanker Darge will share the responsibility, while the usual skipper's Glasgow colleague McDowall will take over at inside centre.
Hooker Dave Cherry and Jonny Gray both return to the starting side after not being involved throughout 2024.
Starting Lineup: 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
For Italy, lock Dino Lamb makes his first Six Nations appearance, while prop Luca Rizzoli should make his international debut off the bench.
Last year's Player of the Tournament, Menoncello, starts alongside Brex in the centre.
Starting Lineup: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri (capt), Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Riccioni, Niccolò Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vincent, Alessandro Garbisi, Simone Gesi.
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