Image source, Scotland Rugby

Scotland Rugby:, external Advance party has done a good job at Stadio Olimpico.

Chris West:, external Scotland are going to have to play better than last couple of weeks to win.

James Locke:, external Both teams to score a try. A lot of penalties to be given away. At least one yellow card.

Richard Hinman:, external Brilliant afternoon of sport starts in Rome for Italy v Scotland in the Six Nations, should be a very close game.

The atmosphere is building in Rome, the Olympic Stadium is filling and both Scotland and Italy are going through their last minute preparations ahead of the bottom of the table battle. Let's remind ourselves of the key team news.

There are three changes to both starting line-ups, with all Scotland's changes coming in the pack, Scott Lawson, Richie Gray and Johnnie Beattie all returning to the side.

Italy welcome back winger Angelo Esposito, with flankers Alessandro Zanni and Robert Barbieri also starting. Two of their talismen, captain Sergio Parisse and prop Martin Castrogiovanni, will move ahead of Andrea Lo Cicero as Italy's most capped players, both winning their 104th caps today.

But today would be nothing without contributions from your good selves so send your chit-chat in this direction either via Twitter using the hashtag #bbcrugby , externalor by texting 81111. And, there's more, because you can always visit BBC Sport's Facebook page, external if that's your thing.

Will Ireland win the Triple Crown? Can England win the Six Nations? Will Scotland avoid the Wooden Spoon? Can Wales win an historic third title?

Come on. . . . I know you want to.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

What a digital age we live in. BBC Radio 5 live sports extra will provide live commentary of the Italy v Scotland match from 13:25 GMT and there are a number of ways to listen to it. One such way is by clicking the 'Live Coverage' tab on the top of this page.

In fact, you can listen, read or watch this year's tournament on whatever piece of technology you've got at your disposal. PC? Smart phone? Tablet? Television? Radio? Use whatever you've got. Heck, why not use them all at the same time.

BBC One's coverage from Rome is starting now. Later, BBC Radio 5 live will provide full commentary of England v Ireland.

Keeping tabs on what's happening in Rome's Olympic Stadium and Twickenham will be easy. There will, of course, be live text commentary to keep you company and, from 13:00 GMT, when BBC One get in on the act, there will be pictures of moving humans to accompany these words. You can either click the play button on the picture at the top of this page or glide your mouse (or finger) onto the 'Live Coverage' tab.

Back to Rome, and it's the prize no team wants. It's a stain on the nation. Sides will do everything they can to avoid it. But the Wooden Spoon, at one time or another, has gone to England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy for finishing bottom of the table.

It has happened to Italy nine times in the last 14 seasons, while Scotland have finished bottom three times in the last 10. Who will finish bottom of the pile this time? Rome could well offer us a few clues.

Image source, Getty Images

It's huge, it's very shiny and should Ireland beat England later, it's theirs.

Having already brushed aside Scotland and Wales in Dublin, Joe Schmidt's side have a chance to state their Championship intentions by winning the Triple Crown at Twickenham. Winners of the Triple Crown are not necessarily the winners of the Championship as a whole - but it helps.

Ireland have beaten all their British rivals to win it four times in the last 10 attempts.

Mike Blair
Former Scotland scrum-half

"What do Scotland need to do to win? The top six or so teams in the world generally have taken Italy relatively comfortably and the reason for this is that Italy do give opportunities; they do have breaks in concentration; they do make errors; they do leave less mobile players exposed.

"There are a lot of pressures that come with international rugby, you are representing your country, your families and the supporters. These pressures can be a hindrance to an individual or team performance if they become the focus of your efforts.

"Rise above the pressure, play with confidence and, most of all, play in the moment and don't worry about the end result as that will look after itself."

Image source, Getty Images

Back to today. And, more specifically, Rome where thundery showers are forecast at some point during Italy's clash with Scotland. Yet the long term forecast for Scotland makes pretty bleak reading.

Like the Italians, Scott Johnson's side is winless, and pointless, from their opening two matches of the year, and the setting for this bottom of the table fixture provides a timely reminder that Rome wasn't built in a day. Nonetheless some sections of the media have even questioned Scotland's right to be part of the Six Nations in the wake of a dire defeat by England in which they became the first home side to fail to score in a Six Nations fixture.

The Scotland camp feel such talk is disrespectful, but can they pull off an Italian job and restore some lost pride?

So hands up all those who said Wales were out of it? Those who had started to question the character, spirit and belief of the 2012 and 2013 champions? Warren Gatland's side answered their critics in 80 tireless minutes under the Millennium Stadium floodlights on Friday as France were brushed aside 27-6.

Tries by George North and captain Sam Warburton, along with five penalties and one conversion by Leigh Halfpenny, helped the Red Dragons roar back from the mauling in Ireland and reignite their chase for a historic third successive Six Nations title. It was Wales' biggest Six Nations victory over France, beating the 29-12 win that claimed the Grand Slam in 2008.

But that was yesterday.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello! Welcome to the third Saturday of the Six Nations Championship - a potentially momentous day in the the race to find the 2014 champions. After Wales hurled themselves back into title contention with an impressive 27-6 win over France on Friday, three teams are locked on four points at the top of the table.

That figure will rise to four should England defeat Ireland at Twickenham and deny Brian O'Driscoll and Co a first Triple Crown for five years. If it's tight at the top then it's also a tight squeeze at the bottom. We're over in Rome first for an intriguing showdown as Italy host Scotland (13:30 GMT), the two teams who have yet to register a win. Who will win the battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon?

Once that is done and dusted we're gliding over to Twickenham for the first time in this tournament. The streets surrounding the stadium are a sea of green shirts already. But will Irish eyes be smiling later?

Image source, Other

Seven down, eight fixtures to go. Four teams still harbouring title ambitions. A Championship wide open, a Triple Crown and potential Grand Slam to be won. The race for the 2014 Six Nations has just got very, very interesting.