As we enter the third round of matches in this year's Six Nations, I believe Italy are ready to return to winning ways.

On Saturday, Scotland will make their latest visit to the Flaminio in Rome with a few crucial injuries and, like Italy, the same depressing '0' in the points column. That means, as many have predicted, that this week's encounter will decide who will be propping up the table at the end of the Championship. Sadly, once again, the Wooden Spoon will be the domain of the Scots and the Italians with both sides forced to defend their dignity in Europe’s most admired tournament.

Nick Mallett’s platoon will no doubt look to build upon their strong performance against England just 10 days ago when Martin Johnson's side notched a narrow win. Expect to see some strong defence, straight running lines and the pack shouldering the bulk of the workload with Mirco Bergamasco's right boot also getting a work out.

The Italians have made visable progress in defence having leaked only three tries against powerhouses of Irelend and England, but they have yet to deliver on the attacking side. Ghiraldini and co. have in fact secured just one try in two games and that one wasn’t exactly out of the top drawer (Robertson the beneficiary of an uninspired Rob Kearney).

But historically, the Azzurri save their best performances for the Scots and, except for last year, they have proved to be a real threat. No matter what. This year won’t be much different as Italy has the power and the mentality to overcome the Highlanders bid to win in Rome.

Without Chris Paterson’s killer boot and the attacking endeavours of Thom Evans and Rory Lamont (still in doubt for Saturday's game at the time of writing), Andy Robinson’s side will need to take its chances if they are to record a win.

Dan Parks, the Glasgow playmaker who was outstanding in Cardiff, will have to show his skills again in Italy but he will need to do that under considerable more pressure as the Italian back rowers will target his shirt. The front row of Castrogiovanni, Ghiraldini and Perugini will also try to drive Scotland’s pack backwards at every scrum. Rome will prove a very different challenge for Parks in particular and if he fails to reproduce the form he showed against Wales then Italy could well head to Cardiff with a priceless win under their belts.

Enrico Borra