We are going to have to do without Mauro Bergamasco again which is a bit like Ireland having to play without Keith Wood - and of course Diego Dominguez is missing again.

We will have to wait and see if Diego wants to play in the World Cup - Ramiro Pez is the only one behind him - but Diego won't go to the World Cup if he is not going as a starter.

John Kirwan is under a lot of pressure for this match - this is a decisive match for him.

It's a big match for both Scotland and Italy because both teams have the chance to end the season on a winning note. I thought Scotland played very well against England but you have to remember that it is always a special match for the Scots.

Kirwan has done a good job of putting the team back together - he has brought in a good fitness coach in Pascual Valentini. It is too early to judge Kirwan.

Italy still find it hard to maintain a consistently high level. We also have line-out problems. The scrum is OK but nothing exceptional.

They are good athletes, but good athletes are not always good players.