While top two England and France have won all of their games to date, the battle behind them for third is very tight, with Ireland currently on six points, one clear of the Azzurre and two of the Scots.
Italy and Scotland have already both played the heavyweights so a lot is riding on Saturday’s encounter in Parma with the Scots having got the better of Italy in this game a year ago.
That 29-21 win sparked a seven-match winning streak but Bryan Easson’s side have suffered back-to-back home defeats in the last two rounds.
With a shot at third place very much in their hands, however, Scotland head to Italy looking for a first-ever win over the Azzurre on Italian soil in the Championship.
TEAM NEWS
Giovanni Raineri has made a number of changes to his forward pack, with Silvia Turani coming back in a loosehead prop, while Sara Tounesi shifts to the second row.
That opens up space for Francesca Sgorbini to start at openside flanker while Elisa Giordano is back to captain the side from No.8.
There are also changes in the backline where Alyssa D’Inca moves to the centres alongside Beatrice Rigoni, with Francesca Granzotto coming onto the wing.
Uncapped Sara Mannini could make her debut off the bench.Bryan Easson has made four changes to the Scotland team, with Molly Wright getting the nod at loosehead prop and Eva Donaldson handed a first start in the second row.
In the backline, Francesca McGhie comes onto the wing opposite Rhona Lloyd, who will win her 50th cap, while Lisa Thomson returns at inside centre, with Meryl Smith and Coreen Grant dropping to the bench.
WHAT THEY SAID
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: "[Rhona Lloyd] epitomises this team - her energy, both on and off the pitch, is second to none.
"Her work-rate is phenomenal, her detail around everything that she does, and there's how much she pulls this group together.
"Let's not forget the key thing for her as a winger is scoring tries. She's got 22 tries in 49 caps and we're hoping for another one on her 50th cap. She's a finisher, whether it be from two metres out or from 80, she's got that real edge."
KEY BATTLE – Alyssa D’Inca v Emma Orr
In terms of attacking potential, the two outside centres in this game might be the most dangerous players on either side.
Alyssa D’Inca was exceptional against Ireland in Round 2 and whether it is on the wing or in the No.13 jersey, she will be one to watch every time she touches the ball.
Opposite her, Emma Orr oozes class and seemingly has so much time on her hands when the ball finds its way to her.
She was instrumental in setting up Rhona Lloyd’s try in Round 1 and will look to cause D’Inca some problems defensively on her return to the midfield.
STAT ATTACK
Scotland defeated Italy in the 2023 Guinness Women’s Six Nations (29-21) after losing four in a row against the Azzurre previously.
Scotland have never recorded back-to-back wins against Italy in the Championship and are winless across their previous seven away games against them (D1 L6).
Italy won just two of their last eight Guinness Women’s Six Nations home matches (L6) but six of their previous 13 home wins in the Championship have come against Scotland.
Italy’s Alyssa D’Inca has evaded a greater share of the tackles that she has faced in this year’s Championship than any other player (56% min. 10 tackles) and has averaged more metres per carry than any other player (15.9m).
Scotland’s Alex Stewart has completed the second most tackles of any player in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations (47) and has also hit more attacking rucks than any other Scotland player (65, 4th overall). FANTASY WATCH
At 14.2 stars, Vittoria Vecchini remains relatively affordable at hooker, having notched 36.5 pints a game to date. Her captain, Elisa Giordano, might offer the best value though, at just 12.1 stars on her return to action.
For Scotland, young backs Francesca McGhie (14.3) and Emma Orr (13.8) could be worth a close look, with Italy’s outside backs accounting for three of the top six in the tackles missed standings in this campaign.
TEAMS
Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Alyssa D'Incà, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Francesca Granzotto, 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan, 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Sara Tounesi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Ilaria Arrighetti, 7 Francesca Sgorbini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c)
Replacements: 16. Laura Gurioli, 17. Gaia Maris, 18. Lucia Gai, 19. Valeria Fedrighi, 20. Isabella Locatelli, 21. Beatrice Veronese, 22. Sara Mannini, 23. Beatrice Capomaggi
Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Caity Mattinson; 1 Molly Wright, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Christine Belisle, 4 Eva Donaldson, 5 Louise McMillan, 6 Rachel Malcolm (c), 7 Alex Stewart, 8 Evie Gallagher
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Leah Bartlett, 18 Elliann Clarke, 19 Fiona McIntosh, 20 Rachel McLachlan, 21 Mairi McDonald, 22 Meryl Smith, 23 Coreen Grant
