John Barclay
Injured Scotland captain on BBC One

Glasgow and Edinburgh's progress into the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup - the first time they've both reached that stage in the same year - means plenty of their players are in form.

Scotland's home form in this tournament has been impressive, with six straight wins - since an opening loss to England in 2016 - their best run since winning six between 1989 and 1991.

Head coach Gregor Townsend says his team must make home advantage count again, with Ireland to come next Saturday, and Wales visiting Murrayfield on 9 March.

"On paper it's significant because you don't often get to start at home. But you've got to make the most of it," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"It does help you come out to the field with confidence but as soon as the whistle goes it's just another match against a tough opponent."

Of opponents Italy, Townsend added: "Last year they had a lot of success with their forward carriers, they played ambitious rugby and got in behind us. It's the first game, there's going to be mistakes from us and from Italy and it's important we learn from what we're doing and what Italy are doing and what works for us."

Image source, SNS

Where are you watching the game today? Anywhere interesting? At home or abroad?

What are your hopes and predictions for today's Murrayfield clash?

Some fans have extra special memories of the place..

BBC One

BBC One's coverage is just getting under way from Murrayfield. Click on the link at the top of this page now - injured Scotland skipper John Barclay, former captain Andy Nicol and ex-England centre Jeremy Guscott are among the guests giving their tuppence worth..

You can also hear all the build-up and commentary on the game on BBC Radio Scotland, or BBC 5 live sports extra if you prefer, from 14:00 GMT.

Those will also be available at the top of the page.

The ground staff at Murrayfield have been hard at work clearing snow from the around the perimeter of the pitch but the surface itself is in pristine condition.

Image source, Getty Images

Former England Under-20 international David Sisi, who previously played for Bath, London Irish, Yorkshire Carnegie and London Scottish, makes his Italy debut today in the second row at the age of 25.

Venerable hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini wins his 100th cap, while captain Sergio Parisse plays his 135th Test, and makes a record 66th Six Nations appearance into the bargain.

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Australia-born centre Sam Johnson only thought he'd be "riding the wave a bit longer" to delay "joining the real world" when he pitched up at Glasgow in the summer of 2015. The Queenslander assumed he'd be heading home at some point and "probably would've become an electrician".

Three and a half years later, and here he is making his debut for Scotland, having qualified last summer on residency grounds.

Newcastle flanker Gary Graham, who had a dalliance with England a year ago before switching allegiance back to the country of his birth, and Leicester hooker Jake Kerr could also make their first Test appearances off the bench.

Glasgow's Tommy Seymour replaces the injured Sean Maitland on the wing, while Ben Toolis starts at lock, with Jonny Gray also on the injured list, in an all-Edinburgh front five.

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Scotland's players and coaches have not been slow to talk up their chances of lifting a first ever Six Nations title, and a first Championship crown in 20 years since they won the last Five Nations in 1999.

Head coach Gregor Townsend, a pivotal figure in that last triumph, has declared "we are in it to win it". One of his assistants, Matt Taylor, says it is something the squad have talked about "just about every day". Star full-back Stuart Hogg believes they are "on the path to something incredibly special".

They finished fourth two years ago, and third last year, having won three games in both campaigns. Can they improve on that?

You can read more here about the obstacles Scotland will need to overcome if they are to challenge favourites Ireland, Wales and England for the title.

Suffice to say, victory today - in the first of three home games - is paramount if that feel-good factor coursing through Scottish rugby just now is not to evaporate in double-quick time.

Image source, SNS

Sara Orchard
BBC rugby union reporter at Murrayfield

Image source, BBC Sport

The Pentland hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh were covered in snow this morning after a flurry of the white stuff last night.

There's still a smattering on the grassy areas around Murrayfield but it's a gorgeous, sun-lit winter's day in the capital.

Perfect for a Six Nations knees-up.

Afternoon all. Excited? Quite right too.

The Six Nations is back...with a bang! Last night's opener in Paris was a crazy caper as Wales fought back from a 16-0 half-time deficit to beat France 24-19.

What will today's instalment bring? A very tasty hors-d'oeuvre at Murrayfield, as Scotland chase a seventh straight victory over Italy, who have not won a Six Nations match since beating the Scots in Edinburgh four years ago.

And then later, at 16:45 GMT, a monstrously appetizing main course in Dublin, where defending champions Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium.

Strap yourselves in. It's going to be a hell of a ride.

Image source, Getty Images