Full-time: Italy have won the game, but still finish bottom of the table. The decision to go for a drop goal is a strange one, especially as a try seemed in the offing. Scotland are spared the wooden spoon by three points.

80mins: Mercato has slotted over a drop goal... however it is not enough to avoid the wooden spoon for the Azzurri who need to win by at least six points.

79mins: Scotland are defending desperately here, with wave after wave of Italian attacks.

77mins: Italy are back in the Scotland 22... but time is running out.

75mins: Italy are desperately searching for the vital try, but they spill the pass out wide.

72mins: Scotland are now level after Italy fail to roll away from the tackle. Paterson just doesn't miss these chances.

70mins: Nervy moments for Scotland as Italy turn up the heat. And Scotland are penalised when Strokosch is caught offside. Mercato slots over the kick.

67mins: Italy need to win by at least six points to avoid the wooden spoon - and it it the home side that are on the offensive here.

65mins: Suddenly this game has come alive with both sides attacking at will... the quality might not be there, but at least it is entertaining.

63mins: Scotland are back on the attack - however a loose pass gives Italy the chance to clear.

61mins: The interception has been a problem all afternoon for Scotland and at last Italy have made them pay. Parisse takes Parks' stray pass and makes good yards before finding Canale on the inside. Mercato converts.

58mins: Scotland are attempting to regain a foothold in this match - and in tried and tested fashion they are tucking the ball up their jumpers and using the pack.

56mins: Italy's weak link here is Masi... as good as a centre that he may be, he is not a fly-half and it shows.

54mins: Scotland's scrum is starting to creak again... with another penalty going the hosts way. This time they kick to the corner.

52mins: Now it is Scotland under pressure, with only Italy's lack of execution saving them. Parisse is starting to dictate this game like he did against England.

50mins: Italy are starting to find some gaps in the Scotland defence with a sniping run from Picone almost reaping rewards.

48mins: Italy follow Scotland's lead and start playing with ball in hand and they are rewarded with a kickable penalty after Hogg comes in at the side of a ruck. Mercato misses his effort though.

46mins: At last some running rugby... Webster comes close to scything his way through.

45mins: Guess what? Both sides are still kicking away possession. It would be alright if the kicks were any good!

43mins: We are still stuck in a game of kicking... a slow restart to this match here.

41mins: We are back underway, with both sides opting to play a kicking game for now.

Half-time: Advantage to Scotland here, with Blair's late try giving them the edge. However the game remains open - especially as Italy has proved to be dangerous after the break in the past.

40mins: Scotland finish the half on a high as Mike Blair scampers through a massive hole in the Azzurri defence to score. Paterson converts.

37mins: MacLeod fails to roll away from the tackle gifting Marcato and Italy three points.

34mins: Parks goes for a crossfield kick from the lineout, but he misjudges it and Italy can clear.

33mins: Desperate defence sees Scotland awarded a penalty 5m out, with Parks opting to kick to the corner.

31mins: Italy are camped in their own 22, with Scotland turning the screw. Another scores seems in the offing...

29mins: Scotland have Italy on the backfoot, with Morrison carving his way through only for a last ditch tackle to knock the ball loose.

27mins: Powerhouse drive from Italy is well defended by Scotland, who manage to guide it out of play.

25mins: Italy pay the price for coming in at the side of a ruck. This time Parks steps up to slot over the kick.

23mins: Italy are using their pack to good effect, but a stray pass undoes the hard work.

21mins: Henderson wastes the best chance for the visitors when he slips with the line at his mercy. However Hogg spares his blushes as he crosses. Paterson converts.

19mins: Best spell of pressure for the visitors as they hammer away at the Italy defence. Webster looks the most dangerous Scot with the ball in hand.

17mins: Scotland are throwing the ball about, looking for an opening, however a loose pass almost sees Italy intercept.

15mins: Italy showing adventure here with Masi attacking after taking the mark in his 22.

13mins: Penalty try. Scotland are penalised twice for the scrum collapsing leaving Nigel Owens with no option. Mercato converts.

11mins: Another intercept chance for Italy. Galon scoops up the ball and kicks ahead. Paterson covers but is tackled over his own line.

10mins: Azzurri coach Nick Mallett will have mixed emotions about the opening 10mins. His side have dominated possession, but lacked direction.

8mins: Euan Murray is pinged for collapsing a scrum but Marcato misses his shot at goal.

6mins: Scotland lose the ball from their own scrum and Italy look to take advantage. However a combination of poor passing and solid defence thwarts them... for now. A blow for Scotland is the loss of Simon Danielli with a injury to his right ankle. Andrew Henderson comes on...

4mins: Interception chance from Italy. Sergio Parisse takes Dan Parks' pass but is tackled in time. Italy, though, steam forward only for Del Flava to knock on.

2mins: A booming high kick causes mayhem in the Italian defence, however Simon Webster just can't gather it cleanly

1mins: Fiery start with Masi taking offence to being tackled by Chris Paterson.

Ready for the off: The band have left and we are ready for the action to begin...

La la la: It is the highlight of the week... the national anthems.

Late changes: Scotland have been forced to rejig their backline due to Nikki Walker's injury. That means Chris Paterson moves to the wing and Dan Parks comes in at fly-half.

Scotland: H Southwell (Edinburgh), S Danielli (Ulster), S Webster (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), C Paterson (Gloucester), D Parks (Glasgow Warriors), M Blair (Edinburgh, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), F Thomson (Glasgow Warriors), E Murray (Northampton), N Hines (Perpignan), S MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), A Strokosch (Gloucester), S Taylor (Stade Francais), A Hogg (Edinburgh).
Replacements: S Lawson (Sale), A Dickinson (Gloucester), C Smith (Edinburgh), J White (Sale), K Brown (Glasgow Warriors), R Lawson (Gloucester), A Henderson (Glasgow Warriors).

Italy: A Marcato (Benetton Treviso), K Robertson (Montepaschi Viadana), G Canale (Clermont-Auvergne), Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), E Galon (Overmach Cariparma), A Masi (Biarritz Olympique), S Picone (Benetton Treviso); A Lo Cicero (Racing Metro Paris), L Ghiraldini (Cammi Calvisano), M Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), CA Del Fava (Ulster), M Bortolami (Gloucester), J Sole (Arix Viadana), A Zanni (Cammi Calvisano), S Parisse (Stade Francais).
Replacements: F Ongaro (Saracens), C Nieto (Gloucester), S Perugini (Stade Toulouse), J Erasmus (Montepaschi Viadana), P Travagli (Overmach Cariparma), E Patrizio (Petrarca Padova), A Sgarbi (Benetton Treviso).

Welcome to the Stadio Flaminio! The bottom two teams in this season's RBS Six Nations go head to head looking to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.