Scotland head coach Frank Hadden says Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy offers his side the perfect platform to showcase their talents.

After losing to Wales and France, the Scots are looking for their first win.

"We know if we play anywhere close to our potential tomorrow we have a very good chance," Hadden told BBC Scotland.

"I think we have a better squad. The time has come for the team to prove that they are a better squad by getting the results that the country expects."

Despite the pressure on Hadden to deliver victories in this year's campaign, he was in bullish mood ahead of the match with the Italians, who have beaten Scotland in the Six Nations in 2007 and 2008.

Boosted by the return of prop Euan Murray, Hadden said: "Training has gone well this week. We know we're making progress.

"No doubt Italy will believe they are making some progress. We're aware of how tough the challenge is going to be from them. They are a formidable side, they have some of the best players in Europe in the squad. We're definitely up for it.

"The match in Paris was one that got away, as far as we are concerned.

"Who'd have thought that we'd have gone to Paris, with the number of injuries that we had, and outplay the French at their own game?"

Meanwhile, captain Mike Blair says the players must reduce the number of unforced errors if they are to beat Italy.

The players are accountable for what they do on the pitch - coaches don't teach you to drop the ball Scotland captain Mike Blair

He told BBC Scotland: "I think it's really important that we learn from what's happened against Wales and France.

"A lot of the mistakes we are making are down to individual errors and it's not something we're being coached to do.

"The players are accountable for what they do on the pitch - coaches don't teach you to drop the ball.

"Unfortunately, that's something that happens with pressure and as players we've got to improve."

Former Scotland coach Jim Telfer has backed Hadden's side to beat Italy.

"It's a must-win game and I think they should win with some style," Telfer told BBC Scotland.

"They certainly have good enough players to win. But the game will be different from the other two."

Telfer said Scotland had to be more ruthless with try-scoring opportunities and urged them to follow the example of the top southern hemisphere sides.

"It's a failing with Scotland that they create chances but don't take them," said Telfer.

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"And that must be something to do with the players' mentality because teams like New Zealand and South Africa when they get a sniff of a chance they take them."

Telfer said that as a former Scotland coach he felt a degree of sympathy for Hadden and the pressure he was under during Scotland's winless run.

"When I came back to coaching 10 years ago they only had one victory in the season and I had only been there for a season," he said.

"But they kept me on and we managed to win the Five Nations the following season.

"Frank's been really unfortunate with Nathan Hines and Euan Murray being injured. The two of them are the cornerstone of the pack and if you lose two of your front five then it's a big miss."

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