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Italy v Scotland LIVE - Varney completes sensational Azzurri comeback as hosts look for famous win in Rome

Six Nations / Regular
Stadio Olimpico / 09.03.2024
Completed
31
29
3
Tries
4
2
Conversions
3
4
Penalties
1
0
Drops
0
Live
Live Updates
Alasdair Mackenzie

Updated 09/03/2024 at 16:40 GMT


16:40
THANKS FOR JOINING US
That's all from us after a thrilling day in Rome. Congratulations to Italy for a superb victory that will send most of the 70,000 fans here home in very good mood.
Check out the full report below for our analysis, player ratings and more. See you next time.
16:33
WHICH RUGBY MATCHES ARE ON TNT SPORTS?
In 2023-24, TNT Sports will bring you every match from the Investec Champions Cup, as well as a selection of matches from the Gallagher Premiership Rugby, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.
16:22
BREX ON BIG MOMENT FOR ITALIAN RUGBY
"We are really happy. We worked hard today and maybe we will have something special after, but we will prepare for the next game and also celebrate today," man of the match Brex told ITV.
"We talked a lot of times about the passion and I think we showed the world we have the passion in the last few minutes of the game - it is not a problem as it is in our blood.
"It means a lot for the movement of Italian rugby."
16:19
SCENES IN ROME!
16:14
WHAT A PERFORMANCE
16:10
ITALY END LONG WAIT FOR HOME WIN IN ROMAN THRILLER
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 side flew out of the blocks, taking the lead through scores from debutant Louis Lynagh and substitute Steven 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.
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Image credit: Getty Images

16:04
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FULL TIME: ITALY 31-29 SCOTLAND
It's lost forward and Italy have done it! A famous win and their first at home in the Six Nations for 11 years. Incredible scenes here at the Olimpico!
82'
SCOTS STILL GOING
It's helter-skelter stuff out there but Scotland are still in possession and attacking inside the Italian half!
80'
SCOTLAND KEEP COMING
They get up to halfway - a penalty or drop goal will be enough here, too...can Italy survive? The clock is red.
79'
SCOTLAND GIVE IT A GO
Scotland gather the restart and they're going to have to run it from their own 22...
78'
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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.
77'
TMO REVIEW
The referee stops play to look at a potential deliberate knock-on from Ruzza. His right hand slaps the ball away as he tackles Russell. Scotland get a penalty and kick to five metres out, but there is no yellow for Ruzza.
77'
SCOTS SO CLOSE
Scotland earn penalty advantage but continue to drive forward and Steyn works himself five metres out. Ritchie drives even closer, but a pass is fired wide, dropped and Italy race away on the counter! Scotland manage to re-gather and win another penalty, but they are now 40 metres from the posts. Some effort from the Italians.
75'
SCOTLAND THREATEN
Scotland come roaring back, working their way into the Italian 22 with a decent period of phases. The blue line is holding strong though...
73'
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PENALTY - ITALY 31-22 SCOTLAND (GARBISI)
A famous win is within touching distance for the Azzurri!
73'
ITALY PENALTY
This is looking better and better for Italy, who win a penalty and have a chance to kick themselves into a nine-point lead!
71'
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LYNAGH OFF FOR MORI
Lynagh earns plenty of high-fives from his team-mates as he goes off for Mori. What a debut from the Harlequins man.
70'
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SCOTLAND CHANGES
Ritchie, Millar-Mills and Skinner enter the fray for Scotland for the final 10 minutes.
70'
SCOTLAND THREATEN
Suddenly Scotland come to life! They strike from a scrum inside their own half and work it out to Van der Merwe, who is brought down inside the Italian 22. The Italian defence holds strong though, forcing the turnover in contact and clearing into touch. A reminder of Scotland's danger, though.
67'
PENALTY TO ITALY!
Another big win at the scrum for Italy. They are getting ever closer to ending that 11-year wait for a home Six Nations win...