Italy v Scotland: In numbers

We break down some key stats ahead of the game.

Scotland go for an elusive Six Nations win today against Italy. Picture: SNS

ONE LAST TIME

It’s coach Jacques Brunel’s home swan-song and he appears determined to go out with a bang rather than a whimper. The French-born Italy coach has shaken things up in his final season with the Azzurri, who have played more running rugby than anyone had a right to expect.

2 TURNOVERS... 14 POINTS

The new sense of adventure almost saw off France in Paris but came horribly unstuck against England when Italian mistakes deep in their own half were picked off by opponents who transformed two turnovers into 14 points.

10 LINE BREAKS, 1 GOOD LEG

One result of this attacking mindset is that Italy have made a creditable ten line breaks so far this season, five of which have gone to one man, outside centre Michele Campagnaro. Inside centre Gonzalo Garcia has a bad knee that flared up against England but he too has been pretty impressive playing on one peg, a bustling, bristling ginger nut who runs over rather than around defenders.

117

The number of appearances earned by Italy’s most capped player: Argentina-born Martin Castrogiovanni.

114KG

The weight of Italian stand-off Kelly Haimona (18 stones in old money) who, you have to think, will have John Hardie in his face all afternoon.

3 V 6

Italy have enjoyed good set piece execution, losing just three lineouts to date, while Scotland have lost double that number on the official stats sheet and a few more besides when the poor ball produced was immediately turned over.

FROM 83% TO 92%

The Italian defence has not been great with the tackle completion down at 87% in both their opening matches. The Scots showed admirable determination against England (92%) but a rather less admirable tackle completion rate of just 83% against Wales in Cardiff… as George North will confirm.

60 SECONDS

How long it took Italian winger Leonardo Sarto to score a try against Scotland on his debut in the 2013 quadrangular tournament in South Africa.

60% and 70%

Scotland have been notoriously poor after the break but, while Italy have also conceded a load of points, they have dominated possession and territory in the second half of both of their games to date… 60% against France, over 70% against England.