An excellent kick from range splits the posts.

Juan Ignacio Brex flies out of the Italian defensive line and nails Darcy Graham with a dominant tackle.

Finn Russell is penalised for sealing off, and Tommaso Allan will kick at goal once more.

Through it goes and Italy are on the board.

Jonny Gray is pinged for offside, and Italy full-back - and former Scotland Under 20 cap -Tommaso Allan will have a pop at goal.

An ambitious Finn Russell offload is picked off by Juan Ignacio Brex, and the Italy centre hacks forward into space and into touch.

Scotland will have to clear from their own 22.

Talking of Rory Darge, here is how the flanker scored Scotland's first try.

Rory Darge has started this game incredibly well.

He gets over the ball at the breakdown to win Scotland a penalty, and Finn Russell kicks the hosts to the edge of Italy's 22.

A worry for Gregor Townsend and Scotland.

Duhan van der Merwe is having his ankle strapped, the same one he injured playing for Edinburgh against Vannes last month.

The big winger is fine to continue for now.

Finn Russell gets away with one here.

The home fly-half leaves an Italy kick hoping it will roll into touch, and the officials decide it just about does touch the whitewash before the visitors reclaim possession.

Chris Paterson
Former Scotland international on BBC One

It's the flat passing that's causing the defence the trouble at the edge.

It's not the pass out the back, it's the short, flat pass out the front that's causing the problems for the defence.

Sam Warburton
Former Wales captain on BBC One

It all came from the Rory Darge turnover, he started the sequence of play and it was a really good call from Finn Russell.

He took a risk and it paid off.

Chris Paterson
Former Scotland international on BBC Sport

It's the perfect start for Scotland.

The strength of the home side and the raw power. Italy will be frustrated with their defence.

Image source, SNS

Italy have multiple players offside as Scotland probe the visiting defence, and Scotland opt to tap-and-go from the resulting penalty...

Rory Darge does superbly to steal possession in a strong tackle, and Scotland spring into life.

Duhan van der Merwe breaks a tackle down the left wing and takes the hosts into Italy's 22.

Andrew Cotter
Commentator on BBC One

The loss of captain Sione Tuipulotu as well as a number of others will test the reserves of the Scotland squad, but this is in many ways the ideal start.

Gli Azzuri may have won a close and hectic encounter in Rome last year, but had lost the previous 13 meetings between the sides, and many of Scotland's strengths are still there in a back-line bristling with attacking skill.

However, this is perhaps the most well-rounded Italian side we have seen in the championship and their own midfield pairing of Menoncello and Brex is a match for any in the game.

Scotland are still being given at heavy odds-on to win, but don't be surprised if the scoreline is close.

Karl Dickson peeps his whistle, Paolo Garbisi kicks high into the clear blue sky and we are off...

Flower of Scotland follows Il Canto degli Italiani in being belted out at Murrayfield.

Two of the best anthems in the tournament, in my humble opinion.

Kick-off is just moments away.

Sergio Parisse
Italy number eight on BBC One

Italy need to win this this game with discipline and territory. They need to play in the good part of the field and especially stop the fire [from Scotland] on the field.