Scotland will come into their fourth fixture of the Six Nations, against an improving Italy team, after two wins and one defeat in their opening three matches.
Gregor Townsend’s team started their campaign with a narrow 27-26 win over Wales before a 20-16 home defeat by France was followed by beating England 30-21 in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield.
When is Italy v Scotland?
Italy and Scotland meet on Saturday, March 9. The game will kick-off at 2.15pm GMT.
Where is Italy v Scotland taking place?
At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
How to watch Italy v Scotland on TV
The match will be broadcast live on ITV.
Who is the referee?
Angus Gardner (Australia). Telegraph Sport has published a full guide to all the referees at this year’s tournament.
What is the latest news?
ITALY
Louis Lynagh, the son of former Australia fly-half Michael, will make his debut for Italy against Scotland.
Lynagh was born in Italy and has played at Under-20 level for England where he grew up. He will play his club rugby at Benetton in Italy next season, after signing from Harlequins.
With Lynagh in at wing, Tommaso Menoncello moves back to centre alongside Ignacio Brex, with Federico Mori dropping to the bench.
Sebastian Negri returns to the side after the flanker missed the last two games through injury, replacing Riccardo Favretto. Prop Simone Ferrari comes in for Giosue Zilocchi in the only other change from last month’s draw against France.
Ross Vintcent, who made his first start in the last game against France, keeps his place at No 8, and Martin Page-Relo is again preferred at scrum-half, with Stephen Varney named on the bench.
Italy XV: Capuozzo, Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane, Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro, Vintcent.
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Cannone, Varney, Marin, Mori.
SCOTLAND
Scrum-half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.
The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the No 9 jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.
Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.
Bath centre Cam Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury.
Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.
Scotland XV: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, Redpath, Van der Merwe, Russell (co-capt), Horne; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge (co-capt), Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Ritchie, M Fagerson, Price, Rowe.