Italy host Scotland in Rome this weekend as each country seeks a perfect start to the 2026 Six Nations.
Gregor Townsend’s Scots have a healthy advantage in the head-to-head history of this tie, but their last two meetings with the Azzurri have ended in a win apiece.
That includes a 2024 Six Nations triumph for Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, while the margin of victory in Scotland’s 31-19 win at Murrayfield last year flattered Townsend’s men somewhat, suggesting the Italians under Gonzalo Quesada are far from the whipping boys they once were in this competition.
It means this second game of the tournament - following France’s 36-14 bonus-point thumping of Ireland on Thursday - may be an entertaining and end-to-end affair, although for Scotland it is more or less a must-win if there is to be much hope of improving on last year’s fourth-place finish in the final table.
For Italy, who have been dealt a relatively tough hand with pre-tournament injuries, this offers a chance to get some early points on the board as they bid to show continued progress by avoid the wooden spoon again, having managed to escape that unwanted award in the last two editions of the Six Nations.
Quesada’s men will be glad to see Scotland’s all-time top try scorer Duhan van der Merwe is missing from Saturday’s matchday squad, along with fellow British and Irish Lion Blair Kinghorn.
However, superstar fly-half Finn Russell and fit-again skipper Sione Tuipulotu are among a Scottish squad still very much full of talent and looking to bounce back from a disappointing autumn.
Where to watch Italy vs Scotland
TV channel: In the UK, Italy vs Scotland is being shown live and free to air on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 1pm GMT today, Saturday February 7, 2025, ahead of kick-off at 2:10pm (which is 3:10pm local time).
The game is also being broadcast on Premier Sports 1 and Premier Sports 2, with coverage there starting at 1:30pm GMT.
Live stream: Free live coverage will also be available online via the BBC iPlayer as well as the BBC Sport website and app.
Premier Sports subscribers, meanwhile, can watch the match through the Premier Sports website and app.
