Scotland captain Jason White believes things are going according to plan on both a personal and team level ahead of Saturday's World Cup eliminator against Italy.

Both countries have identical records heading into the make-or-break Pool C clash in St Etienne, having seen off minnows Romania and Portugal but slipped to heavy defeats to tournament favourites New Zealand.

White's men, however, have shown the better form over the past few months.

They built on strong performances in the August warm-up games against Ireland and South Africa by comfortably grabbing bonus points in their two World Cup wins, unlike the Italians.

White, meanwhile, looks to have returned to full fitness following a knee injury - picked up in the November Tests - which ruined most of last season for the Sale flanker.

With four high-intensity games under his belt since his return, he is happy with his current state.

The 29-year-old is therefore in bullish mood on all fronts going into this weekend.

"I think we are ready," said the tough-tackling back-row forward. "Looking at the balance between how many games you play in the warm-up, the opposition, and the timing of the season, I think everything is on cue.

"Everyone in the squad has played games, and performances have improved. But the test comes at the weekend.

"We have been very conscious about giving our opponents the respect they were due. We have been taking it game by game but the focus is now on Italy, knowing it's a must-win game for us to get to the quarter-finals."

On his own condition, he added: "Realistically, I am where I want to be. The more games I play, the more my form will improve.

"I think I took a step forward against Romania. I had a lot more involvement in the defensive stuff, which is my bread and butter.

"I am hoping for a more all-round performance against Italy. Hopefully I will put in a good defensive shift and be involved with the ball in hand as well."

Frank Hadden's side will be slight favourites to claim second spot in the group and a probable last-eight meeting with Argentina.

That despite succumbing 37-17 at home to the Italians in the RBS 6 Nations Championship earlier this year.

White insists revenge is not on the menu, however.

"I don't think it has any importance at all, but that's me saying that as someone who wasn't involved," he said.

"A lot of guys were inexperienced that game, but we now have got a lot more experience in the squad.

"It will probably be relevant to some guys, who will want to go out and not get revenge but readdress what they thought wasn't a good performance at home.

"I've every confidence we can do that. I think we have taken something out of all our warm-up games. And I think we are reasonably happy with the games we have played (in the tournament) so far."

As if Italy's alarming form is not enough of a concern for coach Pierre Berbizier, the Frenchman may have to contend with the loss of captain Marco Bortolami.

The Gloucester lock has emerged as a doubt because of hamstring and neck injuries, and the Azzurri staff will monitor his fitness closely ahead of their team announcement tomorrow morning.

White, who rates Bortolami highly, reckons the 27-year-old will be ready for kick-off.

"It would be a blow for Italy - he's their captain, a very good player, plays very well for Gloucester in the (Guinness) Premiership and he's their main line-out guy at the moment.

"He is a strong leader at a young age, and he likes the physical side of it.

"But I expect him to be fit."

Hadden claims it is Scotland's biggest match since their do-or-die group game against Fiji in the 2003 World Cup.

The boys in blue won that match and White is confident they can pull out the stops when it matters in the same scenario four years on.

"It is certainly the biggest game this season for me," White declared.

"There have been a lot of important games for me.Winning my first cap against Argentina was a big thing, then the 50th cap I won against France, and there is the Premiership final with Sale.

"This is without doubt a big game for Scotland, and a big game for me. But we are hoping we will have our most important game next week."

After putting out a largely second-string team for the 40-0 defeat to New Zealand on Sunday, Hadden will bring back his big guns for Italy.

The interesting conundrum again centres on where the former Edinburgh coach will play goalkicking utility back Chris Paterson, who is expected to recover from blurred vision to be available.

More news from SportingLife.com