If you missed it, here’s that match report again:

So it’s the same old story for Italy. Worryingly, they have now been ‘nilled’ twice in three matches in 2020. They’ve played some good stuff, they are trying to play in the right way and produce entertaining rugby, but just haven’t been able to build any real momentum in any of their three games in this tournament so far.

For Scotland, there was some pressure following two defeats against Ireland and England, and they delivered when it counted - particularly Stuart Hogg with that eye-catching first-half score that felt like the decisive moment of the match.

It was far from a thrilling spectacle, in truth, but Scotland got the job done. With Ireland and England to come, Italy are surely destined for another wooden spoon. I will see you next time - join Lee Calvert for Wales v France right here!

Italy remaining fixtures:

7 Mar v Ireland (A)
14 Mar v England (H)

Scotland remaining fixtures:

8 Mar v France (H)
14 Mar v Wales (A)

Wales v France is coming up very shortly - it should be a cracker, and Lee Calvert will be MBM-ing it here for all it’s worth:

A match report for you, from William Pickworth:

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend speaks: “A tough win, we had to tough it out at times ... they are a tough team and they can stretch your defence ... our attack didn’t flow as well as we’d have liked. The back row was very good, they knew it was a big challenge, and they were everywhere.

“It’s great that he [Hogg] got a win, and scored a world-class try like that. It’s a bit frustrating not to get the bonus point but to score three scores to nil, against a team that’s been a difficult opponent for us, is pleasing.”

Scotland had 67 % of territory, which seems a fair reflection of how it went. Italy made 192 tackles to Scotland’s 190, which is slightly surprising, it felt like Scotland had most of the tackling to do.

Stuart Hogg speaks to ITV: “We’re delighted with that, we came here to do a job, and we’ve done exactly that ... I’m proud of the boys, it was a huge effort and we came away with an important win.”

On the battle at the breakdown: “We challenged our boys to get us on the front foot ... you can see that with Hamish Watson getting the man of the match.”

“A huge part of the game now is the kicking game ... we want to be playing with that kind of defence, thankfully it opened up and I scored in the corner. I wasn’t making a mess of that one, I can assure you.”

That’s boss, Hogg.

On ITV, Sir Ian McGeechan is impressed with elements of Scotland’s game: “The discipline, the patience and the work without the ball. Last year, they were attacking at will, but losing. It was the patience, the discipline, the hard work collectively, for each other. Where they were better I felt is that they started to bring players around the ruck [in attack]. The discipline and patience in them was clear today.”

Gareth Thomas: “Italy were unbelievably naive in defence.”

Maggie Alphonsi: “It was Scotland’s defensive speed out of the line that stopped Italy making any progress, and even drove them back.”

80 min: One last go for Italy ... No-one would begrudge them a score here.

78 min: Italy keep trying, Scotland keep tackling. Licata and Minozzi link up well down the left, but then the ball is spilled, and Townsend’s men can break into space on their own left wing.

75 min: Italy have a scrum near halfway. But Scotland’s defensive shape looks just fine. The ball is slow for the hosts, and they cannot seem to make any inroads. Scotland have the extra man, of course, so that’s another thing in their favour.

For Scottish fans in Rome, thoughts are turning to tonight’s restaurant reservation ...

73 min: Italy have all the ingredients to be a top team, but they don’t seem to be able to knit it all together for long enough. Scotland have made 133 tackles - they have been kept very busy - but increasingly look to have this one wrapped up.

69 min: Italy move through a few phases of possession around halfway. Scotland’s tackling remains fierce. Palazzani floats a pass out left, but it’s taken back for a penalty for an illegal tackle by Scotland. The TMO is having a look at this ... and in fact it looks like Federico Zani is going to get a yellow card. Gilchrist and McGuigan are on for Scotland.

67 min: And just like that, Hogg gives a hand to Italy with an over-egged kick. The Azzurri will have a line-out, but with a little over 10 minutes remaining, they need to get busy and get themselves on the scoreboard.

66 min: That first-half try by Stuart Hogg is looking more and more like the decisive moment in this match. It put Scotland ahead on the scoreboard and psychologically allowed them to shake off any negativity from the previous rounds ... Hogg said they believed in their ability, and so far, they have backed those words up with performance. Especially Hogg himself.

63 min: As we move into the final quarter, Scotland are looking stronger and stronger. They are carrying into contact with plenty of conviction and Italy are struggling to find any kind of foothold now - although they are not rolling over and continuing to tackle as if for their lives.

61 min: The second Scotland try, courtesy of ITV Rugby’s Twitter:

60 min: Fraser Brown on for Scotland, McInally goes off.

59 min: Danilo Fischetti and Guglielmo Palazzani come on for the hosts, in the front row and at scrum-half, respectively. This one is slipping away from them.

58 min: Fine work to turn defence into attack by Scotland. They spoil Italian ball, turn it over and Kinghorn picks the ball up and sprints half the length of the pitch down the left wing. The Italian scramble defence is excellent again, however, and it stays a 10-point game.

55 min: Changes for Scotland. Dell and Nel on in the front row. Matt Fagerson is on too.

Is this going to be Italy’s second ‘zero’ of the Six Nations? The fans will be praying to get on the board, as will the players. They deserve something from this, they have played the right way.

54 min: A break in play for an Italian injury. The prop Zilocchi, who was pulled off by Franco Smith in the first half, is back on the field. Riccioni leaves the field on a buggy and looks badly hurt. We wish him well.

53 min: Breathless, brilliant stuff now. Scotland warm to their task and attack into space straight down the middle with Hastings. The ball is lost when he tries to off-load, though, and Italy immediately roar down to the other end thanks to a lovely run by Hayward. Then it’s with Minozzi and Bellini - the crowd are on their feet - Polledri makes a burst for the line too - but the Scotland defenders manage to scramble and they repel the danger. Again, Italy just couldn’t get numbers to the breakdown quick enough, or recycle the ball efficiently enough, to make the decisive move over the try line.

50 min: Italy aren’t done yet. They get on top at the latest scrum, and celebrate like they’ve scored a try. Riccioni shouts a few confrontational words at his opposite number after the Azzurri force a free-kick which they kick for touch. From the resulting attack, Luca Bigi spills the ball forward and Scotland can clear.

46 min: Scotland batter away on the try line and there is some brilliant last-ditch defending from Italy ... Watson and Ritchie join forces to try and smash over, and now it’s a try!

44 min: Dean Budd and Giovanni Licata on for Italy. The home crowd are still making plenty of noise - how they’d love to see their team get over the try line. At the moment, it’s all about defence for the Azzurri with Scotland camped in the Italian 22.

41 min: Scotland begin the second half with attacking intent, moving through a few phases around the Italian 22. Then there is a decisive burst by Watson, who finds Bradbury, and he offers up the ball to Ritchie - but Polledri does enough to put him off and he knocks on with the try line beckoning ... It seems Ritchie is complaining that he was tackled before he took the pass, but the ref isn’t having it. From the resulting play, Ritchie turns the ball over again, the 12th time Italy have given up possession at the breakdown.

Half-time thoughts from the ITV pundits:

Sir Ian McGeechan: “Defensively Scotland have scrambled well, but Townsend will be a bit frustrated with what’s happening in the 22 ... they are very narrow and making it easy to defend.”

Gareth Thomas: “It [the try] was worth waiting for ... what’s great about a good full-back is that they see opportunities really early, he’s got a forward in front of him ... [No 13] Luca Morisi is defending no-one and Hogg goes through the gap.”

Maggie Alphonsi: “This game’s been dominated by the breakdown area and Scotland have turned the ball over 11 times.”

Thomas also spoke of Hogg exorcising demons with that try - but the match isn’t won yet ...

40 min: Watson feeds Bradbury, who tries to bash his way through a couple of tackles. Then it’s Sam Johnson bursting into contact and Scotland are into the Italian 22! Hogg makes another dart, but then it’s knocked on by a team-mate, and it’s half-time.

39 min: Allan strikes the ball beautifully off the tee, but hits the left-hand post! Italy look likely to head in at the break scoreless, but they are playing some decent stuff. It’s the cutting edge they need to find against an impressive Scottish defensive effort so far.

37 min: More space for Italy’s back-line! Hayward bursts right with lots of space to run into, then feeds Bellini who is running a line back in towards the posts. Scottish hands manage to rip the ball away at the resulting breakdown, though, and the danger is clear again. But now Italy have a penalty and will kick for the posts.

35 min: Now there is some strong work over the ball by Polledri, who celebrates after winning a penalty, burrowing away strongly for possession while staying on his feet. Into the final five minutes and it looks like this match is going to be a nervy affair into the second half. The teams look well matched.

33 min: Referee O’Keeffe gives both captains a talking-to about maintaining the space between them at line-out time. Italy now do well to turn over Scottish possession on their own 22-metre line, and again look to run the ball. It’s moved right and Bellini is released into space, but he is forced into touch by a good tackle by Kinghorn. If Italy keep asking these questions, you fancy they will break through at some point and get over the try line.

32 min: Another penalty at the breakdown, forced by Watson. Great work at the tackle area by Townsend’s men.

27 min: Italy have a line-out just over halfway. They win it, but the fly-half Allan fumbles the ball after a brief maul, but he’s lucky that it goes backwards.

Now there’s a replay of Hogg’s try - the celebrations were passionate from him and the team, as you’d expect after a tough start to the campaign. The way Hogg beat Italy full-back Jayden Hayward was sensational, and coach Townsend will want to see plenty more of that.

22 min: Polledri storms towards the Scottish try line now, and tries to off-load, but only finds Hastings ...

21 min: Italy surge forward into the right-hand corner - but Scotland’s work at the breakdown is very good again, and they effect another good turnover. However Scotland are working overtime in defence.

20 min: A quarter of the match gone, and it’s scoreless so far, but both teams are showing a willingness to attack and keep the ball in hand. It’s been decent, if not exactly scintillating so far. Now Minozzi finds a bit of space on the wing, and goes searching for his own chip down the left ...

17 min: Scotland deal with the danger well and can clear for touch, relieving a bit of pressure. Still no score, but Italy are having the best of it at the moment. But now Scotland turn it over!

“The set-piece is quite a mess,” says Bortolami of Italy on commentary.

14 min: Hamish Watson complains to the referee that the Italians are messing around with their numbers at the line-outs. Meanwhile, Italy kick for the corner, they get the line-out right - Scotland concede a penalty, the ref has a word with the visitors about how they are using their jumpers at the line-outs. Italy kick for the corner again - tonnes of pressure on Townsend’s team right now.

13 min: Bellini makes a brilliant burst straight through the middle! The crowd are on their feet, and the visitors are defending desperately. Bellini does well to run with the ball in two hands, keeping his options open. He skips inside and finds Hayward in the Scottish 22. The ball is then moved left and it’s forced out into touch. Real danger and attacking intent from Italy, though, which we expected.

12 min: Scotland move it through the hands around halfway. Watson makes a strong burst over the gain line. But Italy counterattack!

9 min: A horrendous miss off the tee by Hastings - that is a very easy kick inside the Italian 22, but he sends it right. It’s still 0-0. Frustration for Scotland, even if they are well on top in the scrums so far.

8 min: Yet another scrum after that knock-on by Bradbury - and again Scotland get the penalty! The visitors are well on top at scrum time. Hastings will kick for goal.

7 min: A fine attacking platform for Scotland, for the first time, who run the ball to within a metre of two of the Italian line on the left wing. Hogg has a dart from close range. But then it’s a mistake by Bradbury as Scotland look to go again - he knocks on, after a couple of big hits from Italy and the pressure is relieved. Scoreless so far.

5 min: Italy win a free-kick now, in Scotland’s half, and opt to take a scrum. The home crowd are making plenty of noise. But the scrum collapses, and the decision goes against Italy. Giosuè Zilocchi is on the back foot against Fagerson so far.

3 min: We’ve had two scrums inside the first three minutes and not a huge amount else. Ben O’Keeffe the referee lays down the law - and gives the first scrum penalty to Italy, for Zander Fagerson dropping the bind.

1 min: A quick line-out for Italy following a clearing kick by Scotland, but a mistake leads to a scrum put-in for Scotland on halfway. There is immediately a close-up of Smith shaking his head up in the stand.

The teams are out on the pitch at a sun-soaked Stadio Olimpico and it’s time for the anthems. “Flower of Scotland” first.

Less than 10 minutes until kick off in Rome.

Time to squeeze in Paul Rees on England’s part-time No 8 Tom Curry?

Italy’s pack prepare to get the shove on against Scotland:

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend speaks on ITV: “We need to impose our game on the opposition. They are passing the ball more, running the ball more - they are built to attack, to move the opposition around. There’s no excuses today, because of the weather ... the mental side of the game is really important every time you play, you’ve got to deal with the circumstances, and I believe out players will do that today.”

And Italy coach Franco Smith: “Our preparation went well ... in a new environment it always takes a bit of time ... we are definitely better prepared [than for the first two rounds]. We need to get the breakdown right, Scotland want to slow us down at the breakdown. We’ll need to be accurate there. We want to improve, we want to prove to people we belong in this competition. We’ve worked really hard in the last four weeks and we want to show that today.”

Before England v Ireland there is Wales v France later today - AKA Wales v Shaun Edwards. Here is Paul Rees:

And here is rugby correspondent Robert Kitson on why England badly need a win against Andy Farrell’s Ireland ...

Some pre-match reading from our columnist Ugo Monye, previewing Ireland’s trip to Twickenham tomorrow:

Some pre-match quotes from Italy coach Franco Smith here, courtesy of the official Six Nations website: “We showed improvements against France. We want to produce an impressive performance in front of our fans at the Stadio Olimpico, showing everyone our game and our true potential.

“Each game is a chance to increase our skills, we have been working together for a month to build our identity, our DNA. It is the most important aspect we are focused on. We think about us and what we have to do.”

McGeechan with a few thoughts on Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings: “Today more than anything, with Johnson and Harris in the centres, I hope he runs ... he’s got good feet ... I could see him really go at the defence, with people like Johnson on his shoulder, who is a really good support player.”

Don’t forget, you can drop me a line on email or on Twitter with any thoughts on today’s match. If you are following from some far-flung corner of the globe, do get in touch.

Conditions-wise, it really is a different world for the Scotland players today. Sunny and 17C. Both teams like to run the ball - in theory, we may well be in for a highly entertaining encounter.

“The only pressure is the pressure we put on ourselves,” Scotland captain Hogg said this week. “We believe in our collective ability to win rugby matches ... everything else is irrelevant.”

Italy will no doubt be looking to exert some pressure of their own. “I’m very confident,” now says pundit Marco Bortolami on ITV, speaking to Gabriel Clarke. “I think this team is ready to deliver a big performance. The key thing is to earn the right to play wide. The front five need to create go-forward for the backs.”

Kick-off is coming up at 2.15pm GMT.

The sun is out in Rome; it’s a far cry from the way Storm Ciara battered Murrayfield a couple of weeks back. ITV pundit Sir Ian McGeechan says that means the visitors need to deliver some decent rugby this afternoon: “For Scotland, no excuses,” McGeechan says. “In the conditions today, you’d want to see the kind of high-tempo game that they can play.

“The back rows will be important. Who wins the breakdowns, who wins the front-foot ball ... that could well be the difference,” McGeechan adds.