Italy 31-29 Scotland - Italy stun Scotland in front of raucous Rome crowd for first Six Nations win
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Updated 09/03/2024 at 16:46 GMT
A stunning performance from Italy in front of a raucous Rome crowd saw them stun title contenders Scotland and handed them their first loss of the Six Nations. Not only is it Italy's first win of this year's Six Nations it is also their first home win in the Six Nations for 11 years. Scotland had started well and looked to take control but Italy roared back with a brilliant second-half.
Tommaso Menencello of Italy celebrates with the Cuttitta Cup following the team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between Italy and Scotland at Stadio Olimpico on March 09, 2024 in Rome, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
Italy stunned Scotland in a seven-try thriller at a euphoric Stadio Olimpico to claim their first home Six Nations victory in 11 years and end the visitors’ slim hopes of a title win.
Tries from Zander Fagerson, Kyle Steyn and Pierre Schoeman got the Scots off to a fast start, but a superb Juan Ignacio Brex score and further points from the tee kept the deficit to six points by the break.
There was only one team in it in the second half as a fired-up Azzurri flew out of the blocks, taking the lead through scores from debutant Louis Lynagh and substitute Stephen Varney before holding off a late Scottish surge when Sam Skinner crossed with two minutes to go.
It was Italy’s first Six Nations win since 2022 and their first in Rome since defeating Ireland in 2013, sparking scenes of unfiltered joy and emotion from blue-shirted players who collapsed to the turf in tears.
TALKING POINT – Italy’s wait finally ends to spark hopes for future
Long have we heard of the promise of this young Italian side, but under Gonzalo Quesada they appear to have turned a corner when it comes to getting results.
The draw in France two weeks ago would have been a win were it not for Paolo Garbisi’s late kick hitting the post, and Saturday’s spectacular victory over the Scots ended an 11-year wait for the long-suffering home fans.
Unbeaten in two games, the Azzurri can now realistically target a top-half finish when they travel to Cardiff to face Wales next weekend - a venue where they won two years ago.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Juan Ignacio Brex
There was no shortage of options in the Italian side, but the centre was a standout performer, scoring a superb try as well as making a big impact in attack and defence.
PLAYER RATINGS
Italy: Capuozzo 7, Lynagh 8, Brex 9, Menoncello 7, Ioane 7, Garbisi 7, Page-Relo 8; Fischetti 6, Nicotera 7, Ferrari 6, N. Cannone 7, Ruzza 7, Negri 7, Lamaro 7, Vintcent 8
Subs: Lucchesi 7, Zilocchi 7, Varney 8, Spagnolo 6, Zambonin 6, L. Cannone 7, Marin 6, Mori 6
Scotland: Kinghorn 6, Steyn 7, Jones 6, Redpath 6, Van der Merwe 7, Russell 6, Horne 6; Schoeman 7, Turner 7, Z. Fagerson 7, Gilchrist 6, Cummings 6, Christie 7, Darge 6, Dempsey 7
Subs: Ashman 6, Hepburn 6, Millar-Mills 6, Skinner 6, Ritchie 7, M. Fagerson 6, Price 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
8’ TRY! ITALY 3-7 SCOTLAND (Z. FAGERSON, CON. RUSSELL)
After 19 phases, Fagerson crashes over the try line from close range! That was a fierce period of attack from the Scots and the tighthead's power eventually proves too much. Russell knocks over the conversion to continue his immaculate kicking at this tournament, with 16/16 so far.
13’ TRY! ITALY 3-14 SCOTLAND (STEYN, CON. RUSSELL)
Van der Merwe sees a bit of space and bursts towards the line, but he's hauled down. That gets Scotland about 10 metres out though, and Russell is next to have a burst as the ref's arm goes up in favour of the Scots for a penalty. It's not needed, as a couple of phases later Steyn powers through for his 11th Scotland try! Superb start from the visitors. Russell is reliable again from the tee.
16’ TRY! ITALY 10-14 SCOTLAND (BREX, CON. GARBISI)
What a score! The bravery pays off big time as a set piece move is wonderfully executed, Page-Relo dinking a kick over the top for Brex to race through and touch down. Garbisi converts and Italy are right back in this.
29’ TRY! ITALY 10-22 SCOTLAND (SCHOEMAN)
No stopping that! Scotland's maul attack is a real weapon and the Azzurri defence can't deal with it as it rolls towards the line, finishing with Schoeman barrelling over the line. Russell, from wide left, steers the conversion off the post and has a wry smile - that is his first miss of the tournament.
45’ TRY - ITALY 21-22 SCOTLAND (LYNAGH)
Would you believe it? From one end to another and Italy are ahead! Lynagh is the hero on his Azzurri debut, scooping up a clever grubber kick from Garbisi to fly over the line. But the home crowd is left in disbelief as Garbisi's conversion comes back off the post!
58’ TRY! ITALY 26-22 SCOTLAND (VARNEY, CON. GARBISI)
Italy look threatening with some huge carries before Vintcent goes on a rampaging run to within a few inches of the try line! Scotland somehow hold on, but Italy shift it from one side to the other and Varney snipes over to score and send the Olimpico into euphoria! Garbisi nails the kick this time and Italy have a deserved six-point lead.
78’ TRY! ITALY 31-29 SCOTLAND (SKINNER, CON. RUSSELL)
Scotland turn to their driving maul but it isn't shifting and Redpath darts towards the posts. Ashman gets to within a few inches under the posts, and in the next phase Skinner powers over and gives the Scots a lifeline! Russell converts and Scotland have two minutes to win this.
KEY STATS
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