Matt Williams' side travel to Rome on the back of two defeats knowing that a win over the struggling Italians, who are also pointless after two losses, will probably see the Scots avoid the wooden spoon.

However, the Edinburgh Gunners' number nine insists there is no panic among the players and that as soon as Williams' new ideas begin to filter through, Scotland's results will look after themselves.

Blair, whose side lost 23-10 in Wales and 35-13 against England, said: "It would give the country and Matt a huge boost if we could win but, as we have all said, it's about putting things in place for the future.

"Inside the camp, although we're desperate to win, we don't feel as much pressure as the public and media are putting on us.

"We know what we're trying to do, we're trying to put systems in place for the future and we're trying to work on them now.

"There is a time and place where the results will be all-important but, at the moment, we have a new coach, a reasonably new set of players and young players making their debuts or with one or two caps.

"It's not an excuse but guys have to get used to what we're trying to do."

Blair has come on as substitute in Scotland's first two games and the Edinburgh player admits he is desperate to start in Rome.

He said: "It's been frustrating. There wasn't a lot I could do in 10 minutes against Wales although I got a better crack of the whip against England when I got half an hour.

"It was good to get a bit of game time and play your way into the match rather than run around trying to make a quick impact."