Italy v Scotland live: Score and latest updates from Six Nations clash

11 mins: Scotland earn a penalty in Italy’s half and Russell sends the ball into the corner on the visitors’ right.

However, Italy steal it once more and the opportunity slips away.

8 min: Italy take an early 5-0 lead thanks to Lynagh. From a line-out on the left, they work the ball through the middle and push confidently toward the 22.

The ball is then shifted out wide and Lynagh times his run perfectly to gather a brilliant grubber kick and touch down in the corner.

Garbisi’s conversion hits the post but a great start for the home side.

5 min: Scotland push deep into Italian territory after Italy concede a penalty for an early drive at the line-out with Russell sending the ball into the corner.

However, Scotland are unable to make the most of the opportunity as Italy disrupt the line-out and regain possession.

Both sides are struggling with line-out execution in these early stages. Italy clear the ball to halfway, wiping out Scotland’s momentum and bringing play back to square one.

3 min: Scotland latch onto the loose ball after a wayward line-out from Italy, mounting their first push forward. They move the ball through their back line, giving every player an early touch.

Italy respond well making sure their defensive set prevents Scotland from gaining momentum.

The visitors fail to reach halfway and are forced to kick the ball back. Scotland then chase White’s box-kick effectively before Russell sends a deep kick into the Italian 22 with the Azzurri clearing into touch.

1 min: Referee Ben O’Keeffe sounds his whistle and the match is underway.

Scotland take to the field in their pink change kit, while Italy wear their classic blue. Italy start proceedings with the kick-off.

It is dry at the moment but rain is forecast for later.

Italy’s Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Garbisi and captain Michele Lamaro lead the way onto the Stadio Olimpico turf, each marking their 50th appearance.

The stadium erupts in applause for the trio before the remaining players join them on the pitch.

Before the action begins, the national anthems are performed.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC Sport: “I pinch myself every time I go into the coaching box.

“I love spending time with the players. There’s more to come with this group and there’s a World Cup horizon. I do want to continue to support this team and achieve something they’ve never achieved before.

“There’s always highs and lows. You feel disappointed when your team doesn’t play close to its potential more than if you lose. The important thing for us to make sure those painful memories turn into better performances in the future.

“There’s two mindsets here. Of course, we want to win every game and we are disappointed when we don’t win and that’s what drives us with the players as well. We are here to play our best.

“Outside of that, the context that I suppose I’m most proud of, our supporters are totally behind the team. They have a real love and connection for what this team can go out and perform like. For us, that’s not enough and for some of our supporters it’s not enough. We do demand more.

“It’s a very competitive squad and every position is under pressure and that’s the best I’ve seen it.”

Discussing the reputation of Italy in the Six Nations, Captain Michele Lamaro has said: “I think what has changed in the last couple of years is the perception of our team.

“Teams are not scared of what we can do, but scared of what we might do if we are put in the position to do that.

“We’ve shown some really good rugby in the last couple of years and we can see how the teams are starting to prepare for us.

“We have the confidence that if we do everything in the proper way, if we put ourselves in the best situation possible, we know we can put Scotland under massive pressure, even from a scoreboard perspective.”

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada speaking to BBC:

“We know we won’t get confused with some expectations, we know we have to be at more than 100 to perform, to compete in the five games ahead of us.

“I’m super confident in the guys going on the pitch, they are ready, we have prepared well for this game with the little time and resources we have. We focus on what we have and try to make our fans, Italian rugby, proud.”

The two sides have met 38 times with Scotland coming out on top in 29 matches and Italy winning nine.

In recent years, Scotland have largely dominated taking nine of the last ten encounters. Italy’s sole win in that stretch, however, came just two years ago in Rome, a reminder that they’re capable of springing a surprise.