The first of Saturday’s Six Nations matches comes from Rome where Italy are the underdogs for their clash with Scotland.
Italy v Scotland, Saturday 7th February, Rome, KO 16:10 (South African time)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Katsuki Furuse (JRFU)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Weather Forecast – Rome
Italy:
In the Nations Series at the end of 2025 Italy beat Australia (26-19) but then lost to South Africa (32-14) before rounding off the year with a 34-19 win over Chile. In July Italy losts both tests in South Africa (42-24 and 45-0).
In the Six Nations last year Italy lost in Scotland (31-19) before beating Wales in a home fixture (22-15). They went on to lose at home to France (73-24), in England (47-24) and they went down 22-17 at home to Ireland.
In the Six Nations outright betting Hollywoodbets have Italy priced up as 150/1 outsiders alongside Wales
Results and Fixtures: R1 Scotland (h), R2 Ireland (a), R3 France (a), R4 England (h), R5 Wales (a)
Scotland:
In the Nations Series at the end of 2025 Scotland thrashed USA (85-0) but then lost to the All Blacks (25-17). They also went down at home to Argentina (33-24) and they finished with a 56-0 win over Tonga.
In July last year Scotland lost in Fiji (29-14) but won in Samoa (41-12).
In last years Six Nations Scotland finished down the field with 2 wins and 3 defeats. They started with a 31-19 home win over Italy before defeats at home to Ireland (32-18) and away to England (16-15). Their second win came at home to Wales (35-29) and they finished that tournament with a 35-16 loss in France
In the Six Nations outright betting Hollywoodbets have Scotland priced at 12/1 to win the title.
Results and Fixtures: R1 Italy (a), R2 England (h), R3 Wales (a), R4 France (h), R5 Ireland (a)
Recent Head to Head
Feb 2025 6N Edinburgh Scotland 31-19 Italy
Mar 2024 6N Rome Italy 31-29 Scotland
Jul 2023 INT Edinburgh Scotland 25-13 Italy
Feb 2023 6N Edinburgh Scotland 26-14 Italy
Mar 2022 6N Rome Italy 22-33 Scotland
Team News
Italy: 15 Leonardo Marin, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Giacomo Da Re, 23 Lorenzo Pani
Scotland: 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Darcy Graham
The Betting
Updated 07 Feb 14h18
Italy +8.5 points at 9/10
Scotland -8.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
A 10/1 Last try Scorer Play
Posted 07 Feb 14h24
The handicap is firm at +8.5 but the points line is in to 43.5 so getting on the 45.5 yesterday was not my best move. I would take the 43.5 if not already involved.
A final play for me is Scottish no 16 George Turner to score his teams final try. This looks a game for the rolling maul and I am hoping he will be navigating from the back with ball in hand.
Bet: 0.5 unit (1-5) Turner Last Scottish Try Scorer at 10/1 at Pokerbet
Italy firm and points a tempting 45.5
Posted 06 Feb 16h09
Italy have firmed from +9.5 to +8.5 and sentiment on last nights show was for the home team.
They have some injured players though and I am not as confident and am looking at the points line of 45.5. There is rain about all day but I reckon we could get points and am sorely tempted. On last nights show regular viewer Johan highlighted the Italy overs and for me it is a coin toss but I also fancy the Scots to score and will go for the match overs.
BET: 2 units (1-5) over 45.5 points at 0.93/1 at WSB
I will be back on Saturday with a longer priced selection in one of the other markets.
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.