Live score and latest updates from Florence

H.Hello and welcome to the first of two Autumn Nations Cup games Telegraph Sports brings you to life today as Scotland travels to Florence to launch its campaign against Italy.

After their brave win over Wales in Llanelli at the end of the Six Nations, Gregor Townsend’s side have taken three wins and are aiming for a fourth victory today. They have to forego two of their talismans, however, as their two regular halves of ties, Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, were excluded from the entire fall campaign due to injury. This means Worcester defender Duncan Weir will start in an international match for the first time since the Six Nations lost to Ireland in 2016.

Italy will try to at least get on the scoreboard after an embarrassing 17-0 defeat in Rome by the Six Nations in February, a competition that saw the Azzurri lose 27 games in a row and date back to 2015.

Franco Smith made two changes to the Italian side after losing 34-5 to England. He made a debut on the wing of Calvisano, Jacopo Trulla, and a second international against Marco Zanon. Full-back Matteo Minozzi recovered from a broken nose against England two weeks ago.

Scottish captain Stuart Hogg said the team will compete in Florence, where Italy beat South Africa in 2016, in hopes of inspiring the nation as their footballing colleagues do.

The Scottish football team qualified for the final of the European Championship on Thursday for the first time since 1996 after a penalty shootout against Serbia in a playoff.

Manager Steve Clarke said after the game he was overjoyed to be giving the Scots something to cheer on amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone,” said Hogg. “So if we can play a small role in putting a smile on people’s faces, by getting results for everyone, then let’s do our job.”

“The big problem was that we’re there to inspire the nation, and the soccer boys did just that.

“Now it’s our turn … How good would it be if we won on Saturday? It would be a great week for Scottish sport and that’s our goal.”