Robinson: Blamed errors for poor run

In each of the losses to England, Wales, France and Ireland, Scotland were undone, at least in part, as a result of their own failings.

The performance in the 32-14 loss to Ireland last weekend was described as "unacceptable" by captain Ross Ford, but Robinson believes his players are more than capable of bouncing back and ending a six-match winless run by claiming a first victory in the Eternal City since 2006.

Robinson said: "It's all there for us. The players have got the ability. They've shown in parts a lot of good things that they've done. It's about delivering on the day.

"When you look at the reason why we've lost it's down to the individual errors we've made. If we stop making those individual errors we'll win the game."

Robinson has retained faith in the players who lost to Ireland, with one enforced charge to the starting XV - centre Nick De Luca returning to fitness following a hamstring problem to replace concussed wing Lee Jones, with Max Evans moving from the midfield out to the wing.

For the third successive year under Robinson - with a record of two victories in 14 Six Nations matches in charge - Scotland must win on the final weekend of the championship to avoid the ignominy of a sixth-placed finish.

Scotland enter the clash at the Stadio Olimpico seeking a first triumph since the World Cup, when they were eliminated at the group stages for the first time, and Robinson will demand an improved performance across the field to end the barren sequence.

"One of the key parts of our game tomorrow is we need to improve our ruthlessness in defence," he added.

"We've shown it in parts and when we've had our defensive structure in place we've stopped every side being able to play.

"We've made some individual errors to allow Ireland to score points, to allow France to score points and Wales. When that happens it puts you under pressure.

"Our attacking game has been developing. We're offloading well and we're creating opportunities.

"There's a real confidence and we have to be able to take that onto the pitch."

Robinson recognises Italy are improving, despite only once registering more than one win since the Six Nations were formed in 2000.

And the former Bath and England coach is wary of the Azzurri.

"We've got to be at our very best to beat Italy," he said.

"Italy should have beaten England. They got themselves into a winning position at 15-6 and a charge down got England back into the game.

"Italy have got a very good maul and they've got a strong pack of forwards and a scrum that's been pretty dominant. That puts us under quite a bit of pressure.

"It's everybody winning the one-on-one battles and collectively being able to have a good go at their scrum and their line-out.

"Their defence has really improved and if you look at the last six, seven games going into half-time, they've been level with teams or within a score.

"That's something they'll take pride from and they'll feel if they can do that against us they'll put us under pressure.

"This game is about the way we can perform in that pressure environment."

Robinson is not surprised Italy are yet to finish better than fourth in the tournament - a result achieved following two wins in 2007 - because of the fine margins between success and failure. It is an experience he knows all too well.

He said: "It's Test rugby. Every time you play you're under pressure to win the game.

"It's small margins that will hit you - if you don't get it right totally you get beaten.

"That's what Italy have found over the years and certainly Scotland have found in the last couple of years as well."