London – Scotland finished the 2012 Six Nations with the wooden spoon as Italy beat them 13-6 in Rome on Saturday.
The defeat means Scotland have lost all of their five matches in this tournament, with their losing streak now extended to seven Tests in a row – a run dating back to last year's World Cup in New Zealand and their worst since 1998.
For Italy, who scored the only try through wing Giovanbattista Venditti early in the second half, victory saw them avoid the wooden spoon for the first time in five years and gave their French coach Jacques Brunel his first win in charge.
Scotland have now lost 12 of their 15 Six Nations matches under coach Andy Robinson and this latest defeat is bound to intensify speculation surrounding his position, even though his contract runs until the 2015 World Cup.
Wales go for the Grand Slam later Saturday when they face France at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, in the first meeting between the two countries since the French won a nailbiting World Cup semi-final 9-8 in Auckland last year.
The Welsh played most of that match a man down after captain Sam Warburton, playing Saturday, was sent off early on for a dangerous tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc.
England, who have a mathematical chance of taking the title if Wales lose, wrap up this year's tournament against Ireland at Twickenham in a 7pm kick-off at Twickenham. – Sapa-AFP