Unfancied Italy are desperate to make their Six Nations mark, but reigning champions Scotland are unlikely to stumble in Rome.

Admittedly, the Scots have been forced to regroup since the World Cup, having lost leading lights like ex-captain Gary Armstrong and centre Alan Tait to retirement.

Less worrying is the handover of coaching duties from Jim Telfer to Ian McGeechan. Both men are reckoned to be among the finest rugby brains in the business and together they masterminded the 1997 Lions triumph in South Africa.

But the perceived failure of the Scottish super teams and the general state of flux in domestic competition augurs less well for a successful defence of their crown.

"Over the past 18 months, a group of players has evolved who we hope will provide us with the kind of stability and environment into which you would like to introduce new players," said McGeechan.

"It is three months since the World Cup, yet it is amazing how we have picked up the threads again...having the continuity has helped with preparation and selection."

However, Italy are hardly in any shape to cause an upset. They have slipped a long way from their 1998 pinnacle when they recorded their first victories over Five Nations opponents.

They had a miserable World Cup, suffering the humiliation of a whitewash and record losses to England 67-7 and New Zealand 101-3. They were also handed a 28-25 defeat by Tonga.

In fact, their performance was so bad, it was even suggested that they should delay entry into international rugby's oldest tournament.

The arrival of New Zealand coach Brad Johnstone, formerly Fiji's mentor, was almost certainly too late in the day for him to have made a significant impact on a demoralised and ageing side.

The conviction that Italy are well past their sell-by date has been born out by bookies' odds of 250-1 for the championship. Nobody is putting money on a Grand Slam.

Nonetheless, Johnstone, like McGeechan, relishes adversity and will be looking forward to creating a few surprises over the coming weeks.

"The players have the ability, they're fit and strong," he said.

"But at the moment, they're not very confident."

Scotland are bolstered by the inclusion of four "Celtic Kiwis". Even new captain John Leslie is a New Zealander and he will line up beside compatriots Martin Leslie, Gordon Bulloch and Shaun Longstaff on Saturday.

Scotland's other "new boys" include scrum-half Brian Redpath - who, despite spells as first choice number nine, has spent so much time on the bench he must have chronic splinters - and another senior international, Jamie Mayer.

Italy, in turn, have made five changes and include a number of players blooded in the notoriously tough French leagues.

The captaincy passes to scrum-half Alessandro Troncon, while his predecessor, Massimo Giovanelli, is moved out to the wing.

And in Argentinian-born Deigo Dominguez, the Italians have a goal-kicker who can trade penalties with the best.

"I think the vision of Brad Johnstone is simple, based on hard tackling, hard defense and good morale," said Giovanelli.

"Italian rugby needed a big change."

The problem is that the overhaul has probably come too late to save Italy from the ignominy of the 2000 wooden spoon, starting with a defeat to Scotland in Rome.

Teams

Scotland: G Metcalfe; S Longstaff, J Mayer, J Leslie (capt), K Logan; G Townsend, B Redpath; T Smith, G Bulloch, M Stewart, S Murray, S Grimes, M Leslie, B Pountney, G Simpson.
Replacements: A Nicol, D Hodge, J McLaren, D Hilton, R Russell, D Weir, S Reid.

Italy: M Pini; D Dallan, M Dallan, L Martin, C Stoica; D Dominguez, A Troncon (capt); W Visser, M Bergamasco, M Giovanelli, A Gritti, C Checchinato, T Paoletti, A Moscardi, M Cuttitta.
Replacements: A Scanavacca, M Rivaro, M Mazzantini, A Persico, G Lanzi, G De Carli, C Orlandi.