Preview: Scotland v Italy

Scotland face off against Italy in a Six Nations repeat and the first game of a three-match series at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday.

The Scotland starting side features nine changes (six forwards, three backs) to that which defeated the Azzurri 29-0 in the final match of the 2017 Six Nations, two of which replace the three absentees – Stuart Hogg, Greig Laidlaw and Tommy Seymour – currently on duty with the British and Irish Lions.

Seymour and Hogg’s places are taken by Damien Hoyland (wing) and Duncan Taylor (full-back), with the latter making a welcome return to the national team for the first time since last year’s summer tour to Japan.

Most eyes of course will be on Gregor Townsend, the new Scotland head coach taking over from Vern Cotter with Scotland welcomingly on a high at the end of the Kiwi's time in charge.

Tim Swinson's reveal this week that training has been faster and more intense outlines Townsend's plans for Scotland, with the former fly-half set to bring Glasgow's expansive style to the Test arena. 

Expectations are high for Townsend having guided Glasgow to a PRO12 title in 2015 followed by the Scottish side becoming an established force in the Champions Cup, particualrly this season.

Hogg, Seymour and Laidlaw might be away with the Lions but there are plenty of welcome returnees, the inclusion of WP Nel with the impressive Zander Fagerson showing plenty of depth in the Scottish front row.

“We’re delighted to see WP Nel back fit for Scotland and full of confidence after playing a game for the Barbarians a couple of weeks back," Townsend said.

“Ben Toolis hasn’t been involved in a while and has earned the chance to start in the second-row, while Josh [Strauss] is back fit and raring to go. Similarly John Hardie has made a full recovery and played very well at the end of the season for Edinburgh."

As for the Azzurri, life for Conor O'Shea in his first season was certainly up and down, having started well with those wins over the USA and Canada and of course South Africa last November.

The overhaul of Italian rugby from a national perspective regarding the country's young talent and getting the right structure is a long-term project, but for O'Shea the priority at the top remains to make Italy competitive again, something which cannot be said for their Six Nations campaign, save for 'The Fox' against England.

Defence was Italy's worst enemy in the Six Nations, conceding 22 tries, with O'Shea desperate for signs of improvement in that area and the emergence of key players not named Sergio Parisse.

The Italian captain has been rested for the June Tests, and is not getting any younger at 33, with O'Shea on the lookout for new leaders and attacking threats.

Maxime Mbanda might be the best player to bring that physical impact in the back row, while Tommaso Boni, winning just a third cap at inside centre, and uncapped players in lock Dean Budd and hooker Luca Bigi can all help to add depth to Italy's resources.

From O'Shea's perspective, the 29-0 defeat in the Six Nations to Scotland is nowhere near a try reflection of what Italy stand for. Prove it on Saturday and there will be the start of possibly many believers.

He said on Thursday: "We are a good rugby team, we are working to build our future and we are making the necessary changes, but we know we are judged by what we do on the field, not by what we leave in ten years. But, today, we both are and can be much more competitive than many people believe."

Players to Watch

For Italy: Keep an eye on Michele Campagnaro who plies his trade with Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs. A strong runner at outside centre, Scotland will need to be wary of the attacking threat he poses. Also watch out Marco Fuser, the towering presence at lock for the Azzurri. He is crucial to their set-piece, specifically at the lineout and will be looking to poach Scottish ball.

For Scotland: Alex Dunbar has become a force for his country in recent years and will need to step up in the absence of Sean Maitland, missing through injury. Dunbar has the pace and power to pose a serious threat to the Italian defence. Finn Russell is in the all crucial fly-half position and is key to dictating his side's play. Scotland will need their pivot to show vision and an assuredness as well as accuracy from the tee.

Head-to-head: Josh Strauss and Robert Barbieri are on a collision course this Saturday. Both play at number eight for their respective sides. Strauss is a workaholic at the back of the scrum and enjoys the physical confrontation. Barbieri is no wimp and will be brave on defence as well as when making strong carries. 

Previous results:

2017: Scotland won 29-0 in Edinburgh
2016: Scotland won 36-20 in Rome
2015: Scotland won 48-7 in Edinburgh
2015: Scotland won 16-12 in Torino
2015: Italy won 22-19 in Edinburgh
2014: Scotland won 21-20 in Rome
2013: Scotland won 30-29 in Pretoria
2013: Scotland won 34-10 in Edinburgh

Prediction: Scotland should have too much firepower for the Italians and continue their recent impressive form. Scotland by 15.

The teams:

Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Tommaso Boni, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Edoardo Gori (c), 8 Robert Julian Barbieri, 7 Maxime Mata Mbanda, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Dean Budd, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Ornel Gega, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Andries van Schalkwyk, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Marcello Violi, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Tommaso Benvenuti

Scotland: 15 Duncan Taylor, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay (c), 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Dell
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Rob Harley, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Ryan Wilson, 22 Henry Pyrgos, 23 Peter Horne

Date: Saturday, June 10
Venue: Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
Kick-off: 20:00 local (12:00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
TMO: Minoru Fuji (Japan)