Italy vs. Scotland: 5 Key Battles in International Match

Scotland travel to face Italy in Turin on Saturday hoping to utilise the lessons learned from a narrow defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium last weekend.

Coach Vern Cotter has made 11 changes to his team following that trip as Scotland look to claim revenge for the last-gasp defeat suffered at the Azzurri's hands in this year's Six Nations.

It promises to be a close affair at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino, with the last three successive meetings between these two sides having been decided by a margin of three points or less on each occasion.

The World Cup warm-up offers both teams the chance to gain a further understanding of their squad options ahead of the major tournament, with a selection of the fixture's key battles outlined ahead.

1. Leonardo Sarto vs. Rory Hughes

Nestled within coach Jacques Brunel's Italy squad is a raft of promising young wingers, a number among which Leonardo Sarto sits after earning 16 international caps in little over two years.

Taking him on in Turin this Saturday will be another youthful figure in the shape of Scotland debutant Rory Hughes, who despite making only seven appearances for Glasgow Warriors has his chance to impress selectors.

Sarto's last touch in Azzurri colours just so happened to be a last-minute try against Wales during the 60-21 Six Nations defeat in Rome, a score Ireland feared could disrupt their championship hopes.

With that score, the 23-year-old Zebre showed superb predatory instinct to ghost in from long range, but Sarto may leave something to be desired in a defensive sense, upon which Hughes will be hoping to capitalise.

2. Samuela Vunisa vs. Adam Ashe

Samuela Vunisa's summer transfer to Saracens is a keen reminder of just how talented the Fijian-born bruiser is, and in the nightmare scenario that Sergio Parisse is unavailable for Italy, he offers a great alternative at No. 8.

What a daunting prospect it is for 22-year-old Adam Ashe to go up against the 19-stone Vunisa this weekend, but after making steady steps through Cotter's ranks, these tests are starting to become the norm.

The emerging back-rower has a point to prove, too, following Scotland's disappointing Six Nations performance. Following the tournament, Ashe opened up on what New Zealander Cotter has brought to the team, per BBC Sport's Jamie Lyall:

"

Vern's put us under a lot of pressure. We've had quite a few training sessions out there where we've maybe made a mistake, then a couple of minutes later made another mistake.

He's been like, 'look, we're doing 20 line-outs and I want you to win 85% of them, and if you don't we're not finishing'. Things like that have helped.

Vern's brought guys in to have talks with the team, but it's nothing in much detail. Individually, guys do that thing away from rugby.

Personally I use a sports psychologist, but that's away from here. It's impartial, you can speak to him. Since about 16 I've used a psychologist to work on techniques to get over mistakes, preparation, all that kind of thing.

I think it's a really good thing - speaking to someone who's totally impartial, away from rugby, I find it really beneficial.

"

Vunisa comes as a more traditional battering ram of a No. 8 in simple terms, while Glasgow's Ashe is more reliant on off-the-ball work and often rivals his team-mates in the tackling statistics.

With so much back-row competition at Cotter's disposal, Ashe will have a task in proving himself as a versatile component capable of offering aid in multiple areas, but Vunisa may not be so willing to let him impress.

3. Tommy Allan vs. Duncan Weir

This Saturday will mark 18 months to the day since an acutely timed Duncan Weir drop-goal led Scotland to a 21-20 win over Italy in Rome, and there will be a familiar face opposite him in Turin this Saturday.

Tommy Allan lined up at fly-half for the Azzurri in that defeat, and the injury suffered by No. 10 Kelly Haimona places new pressure on the 22-year-old to answer his nation's call for seniority.

RTE reported in July that the broken arm Haimona sustained against Wales in March had not healed properly, placing an air of uncertainty on whether he'll be available for the World Cup at all.

Any clash against the Scots brings that extra bit of spice for former Scotland Under-20 international Allan, and what better opposition is there for the Perpignan starlet to finally start living up to expectations?

Glasgow's Weir is only slightly more experienced at the international level, and both players have a lot to prove in their bids to tie down international favour.

Kicking boots are sure to be needed for both, too, as a potentially close outing in Italy is sure to once again be reliant on which team is more accurate from the tee.

4. Quintin Geldenhuys vs. Grant Gilchrist

As one of the four players retained from last Saturday's loss to Ireland, Grant Gilchrist has been named captain for the upcoming clash with Italy, partnering Richie Gray in the second row.

It's not the first time Gilchrist has taken the armband after leading his side to a 21-19 win over Argentina in June 2014 before a 55-6 drubbing at the hands of South Africa.

And he'll be challenged by opposing number Quintin Geldenhuys, appointed captain by Brunel this week, in a battle that will see one veteran lock nearing the end of his Test career take on the gumption of a rising star.

Scotland fans were saddened to see Gilchrist ruled out of this year's Six Nations through injury, but as he regains full fitness, it's clear Cotter thinks highly of the 25-year-old.

Geldenhuys may not be so spritely at the age of 34, but his 54 caps worth of experience compared to Gilchrist's nine could weigh heavily in affecting how each team is led this weekend.

5. Tommaso Benvenuti vs. Richie Vernon

One of the positives Cotter will have taken from last weekend's result in Dublin was to see Richie Vernon looking so comfortable in his role at outside centre, with the former flanker set for another start at 13 in Turin.

And just as Vernon succeeded in keeping Jared Payne fairly quiet, he'll look to do the same against Tommaso Benvenuti, the Bristol-based midfielder earning his own share of plaudits of late.

BBC Scotland's Lyall, citing statistician Stuart Farmer, confirmed Vernon as the first player to start for Scotland as a forward and a back in almost 150 years, with 1878 having been the last time that feat was managed.

Not only that, but the Glasgow line-breaker also looked at ease against the Irish. With 30 caps to his name already, Benvenuti may be more recognised as a centre, but his Saturday rival is assuredly making up for lost time in his effort to make a World Cup dent.