Scrum of the Earth /

The momentum gained from a sensational Six Nations last time out was lost during an awful World Cup, and 2008 promises to be even harder for Italy.

Behind a more than useful set of forwards, Italy lack similar leadership in their backline, especially in the key positions at 9 & 10.

Alessandro Troncon has retired and Ramiro Pez disappeared off the radar, so Nick Mallett has been forced to reshuffle his pack.

Andrea Masi has been pinpointed as Pez’s successor at fly-half but he is an out-and-out centre, who runs into traffic on regular occasion.

Pietro Travagli is the form choice but he has big boots to fill and although he has been around for an age, the critics will be watching like a hawk, particularly with new hope Pablo Canavosio waiting in the wings.

Martin Castrogiovanni has been back to his brutal best in recent weeks, but he must transform the same domestic destructiveness onto the international stage. He was once deposited in equally as fearsome company as Carl Hayman and Andrew Sheridan, and it would be great to see him tearing up opponents in 2008.

Marco Bortolami’s absence will hurt Italy as much as Paul O’Connell and Yannick Jauzion leave gaping holes in Ireland and France’s setup.

But in Sergio Parisse they have one of the tournament’s most exciting No.8’s and at 24, he is the youngest captain, but brings bags of experience from two World Cups and a wealth of success with Stade Francais.

It is all well and good praising the eight soldiers that set the platform but until the problems in the pivotal positions are addressed, all the hard work on the front-line will go to waste.

Italy are well capable of playing competitive rugby, especially against the Scots and England, who will operate with similar conservatism in Rome, but when Wales, France and Ireland release their dazzling runners from deep, the Azzurri may well struggle to deal with the pace of the game.

Mallett won’t expect miracles overnight as he tries to stamp his authority on the side, but a wooden spoon seems the likely outcome.

One to watch: Sergio Parisse

Prediction: 6th

Andrew Henderson doing his Tom Brady impression.

Scotland came out of the World Cup with everything in tact but what was missing was some imagination in the back-line.

Too often they relied on Chris Paterson’s boot and the huge species assembled by Frank Hadden up front. The Six Nations presents a chance for the Scots turn 2007s pragmatic consistency into some adventurous hoofmarks.

The Scots have enough spirit and steel to improve upon last year’s wooden spoon and with England and France at home, they could upset the form book.

Nick De Luca has shown with Edinburgh this year he can be the man to unlock Scotland’s midfield with his aggressive and direct running style and elusive side-step.

Mike Blair will be asked to snipe around the fringes and usher the bundling forwards into areas from which he can release finishers of genuine quality in Rory Lamont and the reborn Simon Danielli - both of whom will be crucial to Scotland’s success.

Kicking is not an issue with Dan Parks and Chris Paterson both solid place-kickers and not afraid to ping the corners. Parks showed in France he is a sound decision maker but if Scotland is to cause a surprise he will have to be a bit more maverick than goose, and ditch the conservatism.

In Jason White Scotland have a potential British & Irish Lions captain, who is more out of the Martin Johnson mould than Gavin Hastings. If the youngsters need inspiration, they can look no further than their sturdy skipper, who will be rummaging around every ruck and smashing into every attacking opposition with no care for his health and safety.

France could come slightly disorganised with many new acquisitions in the team so if Scotland can score an unpredictable victory, the tone will be set for the rest of the tournament.

They are the leftfield choice for the title but could equally find themselves down in the doldrums if they don’t have a change of theory.

One of watch: Andrew Henderson

Prediction: 3rd