Former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"If Scotland can have a very promising 10 or 15 opening minutes here then we'll be in for a great afternoon, as far as this crowd are concerned. And it's packed in here, with very few empty seats."

George Clancy is the man in charge today. A toot of his whistle and Stuart Hogg boots the ball into play.

Image source, Adam Williams-Online

Elizabeth in Middlesbrough: Where did John Inverdale get that amazing rugby scarf from?

"Amazing" is one word...

Arms over shoulders out on the pitch and in the stands as the 60,000 spectators and their 15 representatives join in a stirring rendition of Flower of Scotland.

We are almost ready for the off...

BBC Sport's Andy Burke at Murrayfield: "You detect a hint of flatness among Scotland fans in and around Murrayfield. Perhaps that's because Italy don't set pulses racing quite like some other Six Nations rivals, but it could also be due to the fact that a campaign that promised so much now looks like another straight fight to avoid the Wooden Spoon. A few tries would get the home crowd pumped up again."

Raz Razin: God, I love Six Nations time!

Sam: Its a haggis-fuelled, kilt-wearing, whiskey-drinking, bagpipe-playing Robbie Burns-loving, Scotland-supporting house today.

Chris Higgins: Time for Scotland v Italy. The wooden spoon is polished and ready...

Get in touch using #bbc6nations,, external pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or Google+ area., external You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Sir Ian McGeechan
Former Lions and Scotland coach on BBC One

"I think Peter Horne's adaptable in the role at fly-half, he's a good all round sportsman who'll be able to see the spaces. I think working around the two Glasgow centres, he'll be able to spot the runners and get a feel for the plays."

All the social media chat at the end of this week was about the colour of a dress.

Well, don't adjust your sets, Scotland, at home, are going to turn out in red today. Greig Laidlaw has just marched the hosts out for the anthems.

Former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"Only in the professional game have we seen both of these sides out on the pitch warming up for a good 40 minutes. Afterwards they're sweating and breathing really heavily, and a far as I'm concerned it's a full half they've played. Not like in my day!

"This is must-win for Scotland. Over 60,000 are expected here this afternoon, which just illustrates the public's support. Scotland have a lot of young talent, and I'm pretty optimistic. I expect them to emerge reasonably safe victors after 80 minutes today."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Coverage is under way on 5 live sports extra, live from Murrayfield in the company of Iain Carter and former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings.

Later, from 17:00 GMT, it'll be France v Wales on BBC Radio 5 live.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland coach Vern Cotter speaking to Jill Douglas on BBC One: "We expect a very physical game. The rain's held off until now and hopefully it will until the end of the match, so we can put some speed and intensity into our moves. We expect it to be a very tough game. It's a great opportunity for Peter Horne today at fly-half, if we can get him fast ball, he'll be able to set those guys outside of him alive."

Image source, Getty Images

Italy have played more than 35 away games in the history of the Six Nations. They have won only one.

2007. Murrayfield. And it was by quite a margin too.

The Azzurri romped out to a 21-0 lead in no time and nursed that cushion through to a 37-17 win.

This Scotland side make mistakes, but I don't think Vern Cotter men have the sort of first-half hari-kari committed that day in them.

Italy team manger Carlo Checchinato speaking to Jill Douglas on BBC One: "We put in a good defence against Ireland, a good attack against England. I hope today we can put both facets of our game together. It will be a good challenge for us. Scotland on statistics is the nation we have won the most matches against in the Six Nations, so it's definitely one we target. My main concern today is a team which plays to its full potential in defence and attack."

What with canine related mishaps and failed disciplinary appeals, it is time for a quick run-down on the full team lists:

Scotland: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Mark Bennett, 12-Alex Dunbar, 11-Sean Lamont, 10-Peter Horne, 9-Greig Laidlaw (capt); 8-Johnnie Beattie, 7-Blair Cowan, 6-Rob Harley, 5-Jonny Gray, 4-Tim Swinson, 3-Euan Murray, 2-Ross Ford, 1-Alasdair Dickinson.

Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Ryan Grant, 18 Geoff Cross, 19-Ben Toolis, 20-Hamish Watson, 21-Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22-Greig Tonks, 23-Matt Scott.

Italy: 15-Luke McLean, 14-Michele Visentin, 13-Luca Morisi, 12-Enrico Bacchin, 11-Giovambattista Venditti, 10-Kelly Haimona, 9-Edoardo Gori, 8-Sergio Parisse (capt), 7-Simone Favaro, 6-Francesco Minto, 5-Joshua Furno, 4-George Fabio Biagi, 3-Dario Chistolini, 2-Leondardo Ghiraldini, 1-Matias Aguero

Replacements: 16-Andrea Manici, 17-Alberto De Marchi, 18-Lorenzo Cittadini, 19-Marco Fuser, 20-Samuela Vunisa, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Tommaso Allan, 23-Giulio Bisegni

Showing a "bit of dog" or a "bit of mongrel" is usually a good thing for a front-row forward.

Martin Castrogiovanni got a little too close to the canines this week though.

The Italian prop is missing today's match after getting 14 stitches in a wound inflicted while playing with a friend's dog.

Considering he turns the air blue over the details of two-year-old contract negotiations, you might think that he would take it particularly badly.

Well, he has been out on lip-syncing app Dubsmash, mocking himself with a rendition of "Who let the Dogs out?" with Sergio Parisse on backing vocals., external

Image source, Castro

Chris Paterson
Former Scotland international on BBC One

Asked his views on the suspension of Scotland fly-half Finn Russell for his tackle on Wales's Dan Biggar two weeks ago: "I think it's so disappointing to see a player miss out on an international occasion for something like that. There was no intent to harm or injure Dan Biggar. Finn Russell was doing all he could to avoid contact and he had a fraction of a second to make a decision. It seems a harsh punishment for an incident like that."

Image source, Getty Images

The only way that Scotland's Finn Russell is getting on the telly today will be by breaking out some of the hot-stepper dance moves , externalthat he showcased on the sidelines during the autumn internationals.

The Glasgow fly-half has failed in his attempt to overturn a two-week ban for upending an airbourne Dan Biggar in the defeat to Wales a fortnight ago and is replaced by club team-mate Peter Horne.