Ford confident of Italian job

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The Azzurri are renowned for having a fearsome scrummaging unit and they will look to gain an edge in that department in the qualification eliminator in St Etienne this weekend.

"I don't think they have got into a rhythm yet but I don't think there have been problems in their front five," said the Glasgow Warriors star. "They have got a class pack. So it's up to the Scotland front five to match them and give it back."

He added: "We are starting to develop as a unit and we are progressing.

"In the warm-up games, Ireland was a big test, as was South Africa. We have learned a few lessons there and we will take those into Saturday and try to impose ourselves.

"It is the best part of their game and we are going to have to combat that with our own scrummaging and make sure we don't give them an easy time.

"If we can match them here and get enough possession, I am sure the backs will do their thing."

Italy shocked the Scots by grabbing a 37-17 win at Murrayfield in the RBS 6 Nations Championship earlier this year, the Azzurri's first away victory in the tournament.

Ford said: "We have all put that to the back of our minds, and we are concentrating on the here and now."