Italians aiming to cut out costly mistakes for Scots clash

ITALY coach John Kirwan has warned his side they must eradicate the errors that blighted their loss to Wales or risk suffering a third successive RBS Six Nations defeat when they face Scotland on Saturday.

Italy travel to Edinburgh this afternoon ahead of the match at Murrayfield, which on paper offers the Azzurri their best chance of picking up a win in this year's competition.

Italy lost both of their opening matches at home to Ireland and Wales and after the Scotland game they must travel to Twickenham to play world champions England and then host defending Six Nations champions France in their final outing.

Like Italy, Scotland have yet to win a match this year and Kirwan believes his side has every chance of coming away with a victory.

However, the former New Zealand winger believes their hopes could be scuppered by a repeat of the slip-ups that occurred during the 38-8 reverse to Wales last time out.

"If the defeat against Wales has taught us anything, it's that at this level we can't make any mistakes," said Kirwan.

"In the RBS Six Nations, which is a high-level tournament, every error you make will come at a high price, like what happened two weeks ago against Wales."

Even if Italy cut out the errors, Kirwan is still anticipating a formidable test for his side when they take to the field at Murrayfield.

"We have to be aggressive for 80 minutes, keep calm in every situation and display great maturity on the pitch," he said.

"Scotland know our style of play very well, they are also playing at home in one of the most passionate stadiums in the world and they start as favourites. It will be fundamental to keep cool in the difficult moments in the key situations of the game."

Kirwan has made a couple of changes to his team for the match with the experienced Cristian Stoica returning at centre to replace Walter Pozzebon, while David dal Maso takes over from injured flanker Mauro Bergamasco.

Bergamasco is recovering from an operation on the fractured cheekbone he sustained against Wales and will be watching on the sidelines as Italy aim to clinch their first-ever away victory in the tournament at Murrayfield.

Despite the loss of the influential Bergamasco, Italy captain Marco Bortolami is upbeat about their chances in Scotland. "We have worked very well and our physical condition is very good," he said.

"It will be necessary to take the game in our hands and keep total concentration for 80 minutes and more."

Scotland full-back Chris Paterson admits Scotland cannot be considered favourites against Italy.

After last season's whitewash in the tournament, Matt Williams' men have lost their first two games this year, to France and Ireland, with the defeat against the Irish coming in a particularly disappointing display in Edinburgh.

And Paterson insists a meeting with the Italians, once a relative formality, will not be any easier for the beleaguered Scottish players.

He said: "Who knows, maybe we'll be the underdogs for the first time but that's the view that we have to take and we have to focus on beating them and hopefully get our confidence back."

Italy v Scotland: R de Marigny (Parma); Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), C Stoica (Montpellier), A Masi (Viadana), L Nitoglia (Calvisano); L Orquera (Padova), A Troncon (Treviso); A Lo Cicero (L'Aquilla), F Ongaro (Treviso), M Castrogiovanni (Calvisano), S Dellape (Agen), M Bortolami (Narbonne, capt), A Persico (Agen), D dal Maso (Treviso), S Parisse (Treviso).

Replacements: G Intoppa (Calvisano), S Perugini (Calvisano), CA Del Fava (Parma), S Orlando (Treviso), P Griffen (Calvisano), R Pedrazzi (Viadana), K Robertson (Viadana).