Scotland keen to impress in Italy despite absence of Duhan van der Merwe

Scotland will complete their Guinness Six Nations campaign without Duhan van der Merwe.

The 26-year-old has been hit with a three-week ban after he was sent off for reckless or dangerous play during Worcester’s defeat at London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.

He will be unavailable for Gregor Townsend’s side’s remaining games against Italy and Ireland.

The rest of the Scotland squad will head to Rome knowing the title is out of reach, but there is no chance of Mark Bennett treating Saturday’s showdown as a meaningless fixture.

The 29-year-old Edinburgh centre feared his international career was over after he drifted out of the picture following his 22nd cap against USA in June 2018.

After a strong start to the current campaign with his club, he was called back into the Scotland fold for the Autumn Tests but did not feature due to injury.

However, having waited more than three-and-a-half years, he finally got back on the pitch for his country as a replacement in last month’s defeat by France. He is now desperate to continue his international renaissance in Rome this weekend.

“Getting back in the team has been something I’ve been gunning for over the last few years and I’ve not been able to achieve it, so getting back out there against France was incredible,” he said. “I absolutely loved it so if I get the opportunity again this weekend, it’s another one I’ll savour.”

Bennett admits the Scots will have to tame a partisan home crowd in the Stadio Olimpico if they are to reignite their Six Nations campaign following back-to-back defeats against Wales and France.

“It’s a great place to play rugby,” he said. “The Italian crowd is always very passionate. We’ve got to start fast and not let them get wind in their