Italy vs Scotland Predictions, Six Nations Betting Tips & Bet Builder
Scotland open their Six Nations campaign in Rome on Saturday, with head coach Gregor Townsend making several tough calls as he finalised his starting XV for the trip to the Italian capital.
The Six Nations has often seen Scotland and Italy cast as the tournament's underdogs, but recent seasons suggest both sides are aiming higher.
Scotland finished "best of the rest" in 2025, behind champions France and runners-up England, and with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, progress in this campaign is essential.
That ambition was tempered by frustration in the Autumn Series, where narrow defeats to New Zealand and Argentina highlighted both promise and missed opportunity.
Italy, however, arrive with confidence after a standout November win over Australia, and will be looking to build on that momentum and cause further disruption on home soil.
Italy vs Scotland Tips
Here's a look at our rugby tips for Saturday's game, complete with the latest odds and the best free bets available.
Tip 1: Scotland to win & over 46.5 match points
Scotland head to Rome as short-priced favourites with the betting sites to kick off their Six Nations campaign with victory.
And backing Scotland to win & over 46.5 points offers plenty of value, given the history and match-up.
This fixture consistently sees high-scoring scores, averaging 5.4 tries per game in the last five years, with only three of the last 14 meetings failing to clear 40 points.
Scotland have dominated Italy, winning 14 of the last 15 encounters and eight of the last nine in Rome, and they're boosted by the return of Sione Tuipulotu alongside Huw Jones in midfield.
The Azurri's long injury list weakens both their attack and breakdown presence, while Scotland's superior pack power and bench depth should tell late on.
A repeat of last year's 31-19 Murrayfield win, or better, looks very achievable.
Tip 2: Huw Jones to score the first try
Tries should be on the agenda in Rome, and Huw Jones looks overpriced to grab the opening try at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Glasgow centre torched Italy last time out at Murrayfield with a hat-trick, underlining just how dangerous he is when Scotland get front-foot ball and space out wide.
Italy's edge defence has shown plenty of cracks, and with Sione Tuipulotu back alongside him, Jones should see even more quality ball in the right areas.
Scotland are expected to control territory early, and Jones' mix of pace, power and sharp lines makes him a genuine threat to strike first if the visitors start fast.
Tip 3: First half highest scoring half, a yellow card to be shown, Scotland to win by 1-12 points,
The first half has been the highest-scoring period in eight of Scotland's last 12 Tests and seven of Italy's last 11, and both sides are likely to look to start at pace in Rome.
Discipline is also a key factor, with the two nations combining for 96 cards in the Six Nations since 2006, and the appointment of Ben O'Keeffe only strengthens that angle - Scotland alone have conceded 31 penalties and picked up five cards across their last two matches under the New Zealander.
As for the result, Scotland to win by 1–12 points aligns well with recent meetings in Rome, where margins have often been tight, pointing towards a competitive contest rather than a one-sided affair.
Where to Watch Italy vs Scotland
Read on to see how to watch Saturday's clash between Italy and Scotland.
TV Channel
This Six Nations clash will be shown live in the UK on BBC One.
Live Stream Information
Fans who can’t watch on TV can stream the match live on BBC iPlayer, with full coverage available across supported devices.
Italy vs Scotland Match Information
Here's everything you need to know before kick-off.
Kick-Off Time
The Six Nations match between Italy and Scotland is scheduled to kick off at 2:10pm.
Fixture Date
Italy vs Scotland will take place on Saturday, 7 February, 2026.
Stadium
The match will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome,
More Betting Tips
Check out below for more Six Nations betting tips and predictions for the rest of the weekend's action.
