England vs Ireland LIVE: Six Nations 2022 result and final score as Ireland win after early England red card

Just as in Cardiff last night, it is with English accents that the game will be officiated. Luke Pearce has the whistle; Stuart Terheege is the TMO. Ireland’s Andrew Brace and Wales’ Craig Evans will assist where needed.

A typically proud rendition of the Italian national anthem, captain Michele Lamaro shutting his eyes as the opening strains play. His eyes are wide for the final crescendo, and his mouth, too, as he shouts his team into battle.

Here we go...

It’ll be a kilt-cladded Scottish band to accompany the Scottish players in the singing of “Flower of Scotland”, bagpipers and percussionists tunefully bringing the anthem to life. Lots of Saltires waving.

As before every game this weekend, we take a pause before the anthems to clap for Ukraine. A smattering of empty blue seats around the Stadio Olimpico, but a solid crowd for a Saturday afternoon, and all join in with the applause, a few fluttering blue and yellow flags and one well crafted heart in Ukrainian colours shown on screen.

On cap number 50, Ali Price is given the honour of leading Scotland out of the Stadio Olimpico tunnel. Indeed, the rest of the two sides will come out en masse behind him.

A hearty cheer for Price as he makes his way up the steps. Stuart Hogg chews his gum as he leads the rest of the Scotland line out.

Kieran Crowley lies back in his chair, shorn of his blazer on a warm afternoon. Gregor Townsend has the quarter-zip jumper on, still. It sounds like Scottish fans have travelled in good number. It is a favourite trip for many, Rome in the spring.

Not too long now until things get going at the Stadio Olimpico, but Italy have already set the bar once this week with a picturesque setting for their squad photo. Phwoar!

(Though they’ll be hoping for rather more than Roman ruins this afternoon...)

Speaking of the set-piece, Massimo Cuttitta was a great lover of the dark scrummaging arts, who became known as one of the finest and most popular scrum coaches after retiring in 2006 after winning 69 caps for Italy. He spent a long time coaching in Scotland both with the national side and Edinburgh, and sadly passed away in April of last year aged 54.

Fittingly, the two sides to which he gave so much will now play for The Cuttitta Cup.

“When Massimo passed away, it was evident how highly regarded he was whether in Italy, Scotland or beyond, as a scrum technician but above all, as a selfless, warm and compassionate human being,” explained Scottish Rugby’s chief executive, Mark Dodson, this week.

“Massimo was a big man, who made a big impression on the people fortunate enough to meet him.

“We wanted there to be something tangible by which Massimo could be remembered and we were delighted to put forward a trophy in his honour.”

Rory Sutherland’s injury has allowed Pierre Schoeman a clear run at the starting loosehead shirt for Scotland for the rest of the tournament. He’s up against an old Edinburgh teammate today in the canny Pietro Ceccarelli - with the excellent Danilo Fischetti on the other side of the Italian front row, I reckon Scotland will be strongly tested at scrum-time.