However, he did concede the Scots will have to raise their game again, especially in the scrums, which is an area where the Italians have excelled in recent seasons.

The former Scotland prop said: I thought we were outstanding last week in the set-piece  our line-out worked extremely well and our scrummaging was the best I have seen it for many a year  but by the same token we cant take it for granted that its going to happen again this week.

There is no doubt Italy will present us with a huge challenge. Over the last couple of years they have gone from being a really tough scrummaging side to being a really tough and well-organised scrummaging side.

They didnt do particularly well in the France game at the start of the Six Nations, but they were very good against a big English pack last week  so that is obviously something we have to give some consideration to.

There is obviously a lot more work to be done and the first building blocks were put in place out on the back pitches at Murrayfield yesterday (Monday) afternoon, when we had a really good scrummaging session.

However, Graham recognises there is only so much that can be done during these last few days before a major Test match.

Theres that fine balance between doing too much which means the guys are knackered during the game, and not doing enough which means the guys are not properly prepared. So thats something Im in constant talks with the players about.

Its about me getting the right balance, luckily Ive not been too far away from the mark so far  hopefully Ill get it right again this week.