Scotland will be looking to open up their Six Nations campaign with a big win over perennial whipping boys Italy when the two sides clash at Murrayfield on Saturday the 2nd of February.
The first of Saturday’s two Round 1 Six Nations fixtures will see Scotland play host to Italy at Murrayfield. The ‘Scots will be looking to get their campaign off to a flying start by bagging a full five-point haul over an Italian side that hasn’t won a Six Nations game in three years. Ironically enough, that victory came against this weekend’s opponents at Murrayfield back in 2015.
Scotland v Italy
Murrayfield
Saturday 2 February
16:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Scotland 1/33
Draw 55/1
Italy 9/1
Handicap
Scotland (-24.5) 9/10
Italy (+24.5) 9/10
*Please note that these are forecast handicaps.
Scotland
The hosts for Saturday’s encounter enjoyed a solid 2018 Six Nations, winning three games on their way to finishing in third-place. One of those three victories came against the Italians who they beat 27-29. The result was hardly a convincing one but the Scottish side that took to the field that day was far from full strength and included a number of youngsters.
The Scottish team that takes to the field this coming weekend will be a far cry from the side that narrowly beat Italy last year, with an almost full-strength squad set to run out at Murrayfield. Big name backs such as Finn Russel, Greg Laidlaw and Huw Jones will likely start, while star forwards Johnny Grey and Ryan Wilson should be able to start having recovered from injuries.
One Scottish back who will play no part this weekend, or for the most part of the tournament, is flanker Hamish Watson who fractured his hand earlier this month. His place in the side is likely to be taken by veteran John Hardie with impressive Exeter Chiefs youngster Sam Skinner likely to provide loose forward and locking cover from the bench.
Italy
This is a really tough start for the Italians who are a far better team at home than they are on the road. The ‘Scots may have only just better them last year but the Italians will still be extremely wary of catching a hammering here as this Scottish backline is capable of tearing defences apart when in full flow.
The Italians endured a dire campaign last year finishing the 2018 Six Nations in last place with just one point to their names and a points differential of -111. Last year’s showing was actually an improvement on Italy’s 2017 campaign which saw them finish the tournament with zero log points and a points differential of -151.
Verdict: Scotland (-24.5) 9/10 *Forecast Handicap
The ‘Scots won all three of their home Six Nations fixtures last year and I can see them bagging yet another win at Murrayfield here. The Italians are likely to put up a strong fight in the first half but I can see a late flurry of tries from the hosts seeing them past what is a rather large handicap.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
