Wooden spoon battle no place for purists

ITALY captain Marco Bortolami has warned rugby purists to stay clear of Murrayfield when his side go into battle with Scotland in what could prove to be the wooden-spoon decider in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The line-out specialist, who plays for Narbonne, believes the match between the weakest teams in the championship represents the Azzuri's brightest chance so far of picking up a precious victory away from home.

However, Bortolami, 24, forecasts a frantic encounter which is likely to be decided by the contest between the respective packs.