This is the game Italy have targeted... I think they used to get a higher win bonus for it
Townsend’s danger warning
GREGOR TOWNSEND will take nothing for granted when Scotland play Italy in Rome tomorrow – even though his team have won the last 13 meetings between the sides.
And the gaffer reckons an estimated travelling support of 15,000 can play their part in ensuring victory in a sold-out
Stadio Olimpico. The Italians were unlucky only to get a 13-13 draw against France two weeks ago when a lastminute conversion attempt came back off a post.
Townsend believes they are a dangerous team and said: “They’ve been improving for some time. They were a post away from beating France in France – not many teams have done that over the last few years.
“And they were, I suppose, a knock-on away from beating us at Murrayfield last year. Italy are a massive threat for any side.
“Chatting to the Italian staff over the years, this is the game they have targeted. I think they used to get a higher win bonus for beating Scotland than other teams.
“Any Six Nations team will want to deliver their best performance at home. It’s a sell-out and they’ve not had a sell-out for a number of years – I don’t think they got one for England.
“It shows the public feel that this could be a game they can win.
“It’s a great venue and I know a lot of Scots are going out there too, so that helps.
“I know when you flip it round with the amount of French who came to our game at Murrayfield, we’ll feel there’s a similar atmosphere there on Saturday.
“Last time they reckon it was close to 12,000 [Scots in Rome at the 2022 match]. Maybe people have now told their friends to come out and we might get close to 15,000, which would be brilliant.
“It has been a home from home a little bit for our supporters out of all the Six Nations away venues.
“We can hear the Scotland fans in Rome more than at the other stadiums.
“Part of that has been because the games haven’t been sold out. Now they will be competing with more and more Italian supporters this weekend so it should be a cracking atmosphere.”
Townsend has made three changes from the team that started the 30-21 win over England two weeks ago.
Finn Russell’s Bath teammate Cameron Redpath takes over from the injured Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre while Andy Christie has ousted ex-captain Jamie Ritchie from the back row.
And, in a surprise move, Glasgow Warriors’ George Horne is preferred at scrumhalf to Ben White, who has been rested.
Ritchie drops down to a bench which has six forwards and just two backs.
Matt Fagerson returns as a forwards replacement while Ali Price and Kyle Rowe are the two backs who will start on the bench.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has also made three switches, including a debut for Harlequins winger Louis Lynagh, son of Australian legend Michael Lynagh.
Prop Simone Ferrari and back-row Sebastian Negri are the other two changes.