Six Nations: Beattie says Scotland are ‘underdogs’

Forward Johnnie Beattie accepts Scotland are “absolutely” the underdogs for the visit of Italy in the RBS Six Nations.

Both sides had contrasting starts to their campaigns last weekend with Scotland comprehensively beaten 38-18 against England and the Italians stunning France with a 23-18 victory in Rome.

Italy have won four of the past six meetings between the teams in the competition and Scotland are odds-on favourites for a second successive wooden spoon. When asked who the underdogs were, Beattie said: “Absolutely us. We have seen the level of performance Italy have put together over the past few years. We have come off the back of a disappointing performance against England, they have just beaten France, in my eyes pre-tournament favourites. We are definitely the pre-match underdogs.”