Italy vs. Scotland: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Six Nations 2016 Preview

Italy and Scotland will seek their first win of the 2016 Six Nations tournament when they meet during Saturday's action at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The Scots are on a losing run of nine straight matches in Six Nations competition. But their recent outings are cause for optimism, and they'll enter Saturday's contest as slight favourites.

Italy kept things close in Paris against France and held their own in the first half of their 40-9 loss against England, and at home, they'll like their chances against Scotland, the only team they beat last year.

Here's everything you need to know for Saturday's match:

Time: 2:25 p.m. GMT/9:25 a.m. ET

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

TV Info: The match will be broadcast on BBC One (for U.K. viewers).

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer

Preview

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

As reported by the Press Association (via ESPN.com), Scotland will look to avoid a 10th straight Six Nations loss on Saturday, but after losing their first two matches of the 2016 campaign by just 10 combined points, coach Vern Cotter's troops have reasons to believe they'll end their miserable run against the Azzurri.

Captain Greig Laidlaw discussed how the players shouldn't let the losing streak play a factor in the match, per the Press Association:

"

It's hugely important for Scottish rugby, but once we take to the field on Saturday we won't be concerning ourselves with that stat.

We can't go into the field thinking about all these things because chances are we are even more likely to lose. It puts extra pressure on players and it clouds judgement.

We will simply be worrying about process, doing one job well and then moving on the next job. If you do that you get better and better and it spreads confidence.

"

Last year, Scotland led Italy at Murrayfield with 10 minutes left to play before a total collapse handed the win to the visitors. It was yet another setback in a miserable campaign for Cotter's troops, and despite a solid showing at the World Cup, it seems the team still has a long way to go.

Talent isn't the issue for the Scots―rather, it's periodic loss of focus, struggles with the lineout and an inability to avoid penalties at key times. Per BBC Sport's Tom English, things have to change in Rome:

"

They know more than any of us will ever know about the myriad ways they have lost these nine games because they've lived them, studied them, been tormented by them.

Rome has to be the end of the self-inflicted damage and the beginning of something different.

From those nine losses you could cut together 80 minutes of action that would make Scotland look like Wales in their Golden Era. There is talent, but is there composure, is there manic aggression combined with detached cool, is there ruthlessness or just another breakdown under pressure, is there a win or another failure?

"

The Italians impressed with their discipline, solid tackling and strong set-piece play in the first half against England, and with veteran star Sergio Parisse and promising fly-half Carlo Canna in the squad, they have the talent to hold their own against Europe's elite.

But depth has always been an issue for the Azzurri, and it's the one key advantage Scotland should look to exploit. Per Sky Sports, Coach Cotter felt comfortable sending six Glasgow Warriors back to their club so they could play in the Guinness PRO12―that's the kind of move the Italians simply can't make.

England ran through the Italians during the second half of their Round 2 clash, beating the hosts with raw athleticism. If the Scots can keep it close during the first half and work the ball around at speed, a similar scenario should be in store for Saturday's match, and Scotland's dreadful Six Nations losing streak should come to an end.

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