Print

Mail

wiki links

Wooden spoon up for grabs as Italy, Scotland lock horns

Scotland coach Frank Hadden had little hesitation in sticking with the bulk of the side that defeated England in the Calcutta Cup for his team's Six Nations finale away to Italy.

Simon Danielli and Fergus Thomson come in for the injured duo of wing Rory Lamont and hooker Ross Ford in the only changes to the team that beat England 15-9 to give Scotland their first win of this season's Six Nations.

Jason White, who started the tournament as Scotland's on-field captain, stays on the bench after being forced off with concussion in last month's defeat against Wales.

Scotland travel to Rome for this weekend's match knowing they went down 37-17 to Italy at Murrayfield last season before sneaking past the Azzurri 18-16 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Their last championship clash was an extraordinary encounter, with Italy scoring three tries in seven minutes to sprint into an unbeatable 21-point lead in Edinburgh.

"We were in a different place then. We were trying to win the championship at that stage and so we took a few risks that didn't pay off," said Hadden, whose side could yet finish bottom of the Six Nations table for the second-straight season if they lose in Rome.

"This week we just want to make sure that we capitalize on the progress we've made and win the game," he said.

Thomson will be making his first international start while Ulster wing Danielli is returning to the run-on team for the first time since 2005.

"Fergus took his opportunity off the bench extremely well last weekend and he thoroughly deserves his first start," Hadden said.

"He had one or two pretty abrasive carries, and his lineout was pretty good. He was always a fiery character, but his lineout work has improved significantly," the coach said.

"And Simon has been knocking on the door for some considerable time," Hadden said of the Oxford Blue.
This story has been viewed 539 times.