 Chris Paterson is looking forward to Scotland scoring tries |
Scotland captain Chris Paterson has challenged his team to build on the solid groundwork they put in for their 21-9 victory over Wales. "The Welsh performance was a benchmark we can't afford to drop below, particularly in the forwards," said Paterson ahead of Italy's visit.
"It was a brilliant performance against Wales, but the players know it will have to be better against Italy.
"And I'm sure it will be as we know it wasn't perfect against Wales."
The Scots will fancy their chances of grabbing the try that evaded them against Wales when the side propping up the Six Nations table arrive at Murrayfield.
"We could have scored four tries, but we didn't score any and I think that is something that has been highlighted," said Paterson.
"We're happy with the opportunities we created, but we are unhappy that we failed to make the most of them.
 | Italy have only missed seven tackles in two games Scotland captain Chris Paterson |
"So that is something that we have to improve on, because we can't continue winning without scoring tries.
"Having said that, it is worth noting that we came within two or three inches of scoring tries on three separate occasions against Wales - so we are not that far away.
"We've been criticised in the past for not making opportunities, but now we are making them and we are playing rugby in the right area of the pitch.
"So I have no doubt that the tries will come."
Italy have lost both their games so far this season, but they pushed England all the way at Twickenham last time out.
And Paterson knows what it is like to captain a losing side against them.
He led the Scots throughout their disastrous Six Nations whitewash in 2004, which included a 20-14 defeat in Rome.
"They are a very physically strong team and they play at a frenetic pace," said Paterson.
"They've only missed seven tackles in two games, so they are going to take a bit of breaking down.
"The top players at a number of the top clubs in Europe are Italian.
"When Edinburgh played Gloucester this year, Marco Bortolami and Carlos Nieto were outstanding.
"You watch Stade Francais with Sergio Parisse and the two Bergamasco brothers doing the business there.
"And Martin Castrogiovanni is a key man at Leicester - so a lot of the top players in Europe are Italians.
"When they come together under a good coach like Pierre Berbizier then you know it is going to be a huge challenge."
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Interview: Scotland captain Chris Paterson