SportRugbyRugby UnionThe Azzurri are looking to build on a breakthrough campaign last year as they come to Murrayfield
Finn Russell and Scotland take on Italy in their opening fixture (Getty Images)Scotland have hope of mounting a Six Nations title challenge as they embark on a fresh campaign against Italy.
While optimism has been punctured somewhat by a string of untimely injuries, Gregor Townsend’s settled squad are confident that they can build on their development over the last few years and back up big performances to challenge for a long-awaited title. In the absence of captain Sione Tuipulotu, all-action openside Rory Darge and star fly half Finn Russell lead the hosts into a first battle with a visiting team that enjoyed a tournament to remember in 2024.
Two wins and a draw last year marked Italy’s best performance in 25 years as a constituent part of this championship. Many of the faces remain the same as Gonzalo Quesada seeks yet more progress with belief that his side’s days scrabbling for the wooden spoon may be at an end. An opening weekend win in Edinburgh would be quite the statement of intent…
Follow all of the latest from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Darcy Graham back on the Six Nations stageIn a curious quirk, Darcy Graham – Scotland’s second-highest try-scorer of all time – will play his first Six Nations match in almost three years this weekend. The Edinburgh wing was ruled out of both the 2023 and 2024 championships due to different injury issues. Remarkably, Graham has managed to accumulate 17 tries in the 15 international appearances he has made since his last Six Nations outing away to Ireland in March 2022.
Darcy Graham is back in Six Nations action (PA Wire)Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 13:00
Scotland vs Italy talking points: Unlikely return for experienced forwardsFor much of last year, it would have been hard to imagine either Jonny Gray or Dave Cherry starting this Six Nations opener. Lock Gray, 30, was battling to get his career back on track after a year out with a serious knee injury, while his older brother Richie plus Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist seemed in command of the second-row berths. Cherry, 34, appeared to be persona non grata as he failed to make a single squad in 2024 following his exit from the 2023 World Cup camp in France with a concussion, which Scottish Rugby revealed was sustained “slipping on hotel stairs, on a team day off”. The stars have aligned for both to return to the pack on Saturday after well over a year out of the Test arena.
Jonny Gray is back after a near two-year absence (PA Archive)Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 12:45
Scotland vs Italy talking points: Can Azzurri throw Gregor Townsend’s side off course again?With the likes of Michele Lamaro, Paolo Garbisi, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello to the fore, Italy arrive at Murrayfield with arguably the strongest squad they have ever had. No longer seen as championship cannon fodder, Gonzalo Quesada’s side will be buoyed by memories of their stirring 31-29 win over Gregor Townsend’s men last March, while they were desperately close to an upset on their last Six Nations visit to Murrayfield two years ago before the Scots broke away to seal victory at the death.
(Getty Images)Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 12:30
Scotland vs Italy talking points: Hosts aim to remain fast startersIn the first two decades of the 21st century, Scotland were notoriously slow starters in the Six Nations, winning just three of their opening-day fixtures in the first 21 stagings of the championship between 2000 and 2020. Since then, however, they have won each of their last four campaign openers: away to England in 2021, at home to England in 2022, away to England in 2023, and away to Wales in 2024. Italy at home affords the Scots a clear opportunity to extend this run to a fifth year in succession.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 12:15
Six new faces to watch in the 2025 Six NationsHope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship.
A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.
There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.
The Independent has picked out one new(ish) face from each nation who could be set for a breakthrough tournament:
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 12:00
Gregor Townsend confident Scotland can cope with loss of skipper Sione TuipulotuTuipulotu, Scotland’s captain and star centre, must undergo surgery to repair a pectoral muscle that was damaged in training with Glasgow Warriors last week and is not expected to return until later in the season.
While one of the game’s most influential players concentrates on recovering in time for the British and Irish Lions’ tour to Australia, Townsend is deciding how he fills the void in midfield.
“It’s a real blow for Sione so close to the tournament and it’s a blow to the tournament and our supporters that they don’t get to see him playing,” head coach Townsend said at the Six Nations launch in Rome.
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 11:45
What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?The quadrennial assembly of Britain and Ireland’s best and brightest will add yet more meaning to the Six Nations as Lions selection looms large over the tournament.
While it is, ultimately, the competition prize that players will be vying for, all of those eligible will be fully aware that Andy Farrell will be watching closely as he bids to narrow down his squad ahead of the tour of Australia.
England are understood to have addressed the conversation directly as they prepare for a vital campaign, while Ireland captain Caelan Doris has admitted that it will serve as an “extra factor” as the four constituent nations navigate the championship.
With his first coaching appointments in place, Farrell can now cast his discerning eye over the opening rounds of the tournament with plenty of themes set to emerge.
What might he particularly be looking out for?
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 11:30
Six Nations stands as a rare shining light amid rugby’s turmoilThe Six Nations is underway – could this be yet another vintage year for a grand old competition enjoying a purple patch?
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 11:15
Finn Russell and Scotland plot a ‘different’ answer to the same old Six Nations questionIs this Scotland’s year? It has become the perennial question that their players are bored of fielding – but even Finn Russell admits that their development will count for little if they do not cap their progress with a title…
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 11:00
Scotland vs Italy LIVEAfter the Friday night fun in Paris, the opening weekend of the Six Nations continues with a clash between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield. Is this the year that Gregor Townsend’s men mount a title challenge? Or can Italy build on the promise they showed in 2024?
Kick off in Edinburgh is at 2.15pm GMT.
(REUTERS)Harry Latham-Coyle30 January 2025 16:24
