Italy 18-15 Scotland recap - Louis Lynagh and Tommaso Menoncello tries light up famous win in rainy Rome

Italy mastered torrential conditions in Rome to defeat Scotland 18-15 as Gregor Townsend’s men got their Six Nations campaign off to the worst possible start.

The Azzurri came flying out of the blocks, with Louis Lynagh sliding over the line from a perfect Juan Ignacio Brex grubber kick for a majestic opening try before Tommaso Menoncello’s burst down the wing gave them a 12-0 lead inside 14 minutes.

As dark clouds emptied a deluge of water over the Stadio Olimpico pitch, Scotland’s creaking lineout and scrum left them struggling to capitalise on any opportunities until Jack Dempsey battled over the line from close quarters.

Paolo Garbisi and Finn Russell traded penalties either side of the break before Garbisi’s second made it an eight-point game, and a yellow card for replacement Scottish hooker George Turner for an illegal clear-out left the visitors facing an uphill battle.

However, the Scots survived the numerical deficit and set up a grandstand finish when George Horne dove in at the corner with 14 minutes to go, but Scotland’s dramatic late charge up the pitch with the clock in the red eventually came undone as they were left with nothing but a losing bonus point.

"Hugely disappointed to lose your first game in the tournament, makes things tougher," said Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

"Obviously, the guys are very disappointed. The effort was there. A lot of what we trained was in place. We just gave away too many possessions.

"We just weren't able to score more points in the first half. It was extremely difficult the second half but the effort the players put in was tremendous just not enough to win the game.

"We shouldn't have let them get ahead. They got a couple of breakaway tries. We had opportunities we didn't take and then it made it tough after that.

"Of course there'll be criticism for the result and the performance. I'm with my team. I was hugely proud of the effort they put in at the end, trying to find a way to win. It was really tough and we know we need to be better in that first 20 minutes.

"I believe in them, I believe in what we're doing. Today, it didn't happen and we're going to make sure it happens next week."

We have live updates from Twickeham, where the final match of the weekend is about to kick off.

"Absolutely incredible, I think that shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, for this country. This is us. We are to do these sort of games," Italy captain Michele Lamaro said.

"That last phase, I couldn't watch. Well done to the boys, fully deserved.

"I couldn't ask more [on my 50th cap] from the boys. It's been an absolute pleasure for me, an absolute honour to get this big achievement.

"We couldn't ask our team-mates to do more. Now we've got a dream in our head. We keep going on."

He already has his critics, but this kind of result, off the back of an underwhelming 2025, will only increase their number.

We will hear from the Scotland coach soon.

Dublin next for Italy. They couldn't...could they?

Italy survive the late onslaught and it's two wins in a row at home to Scotland!

A disastrous start for Townsend's side but fully deserved from the Azzurri, who led throughout.

Phase after phase but Scotland aren't getting very far here. Being very careful not to make any errors, Italy being careful not to give away any more penalties.

Russell's kick has Scotland suddenly midway into the Italian half. They can't make any mistakes here or it's game over. Pressure lineout.

The Scots win penalty advantage off their maul but look to go wide - Jones is clattered as a result. They have the penalty though with the clock in the red!

A win in the scrum, a rare one, gives Russell the chance to gain some precious territory going into this final minute. Scotland have the lineout midway in their own half.

There is a knock-on at the lineout and here comes another scrum. Townsend has his head in his hands. It's Scottish ball but they have the length of the pitch to go in little over a minute!

This is looking good for Italy, who win a scrum penalty midway into the Scottish half - yet another one.

Garbisi kicks to the corner as the seconds count down towards another famous win.

Williamson grabs a lineout but is impeded in the process and Scotland clear to halfway. The lineout seems to have finally sorted itself out a bit.

Here comes Pani for Italy for the final six minutes.

Ruzza for Zambonin and Zuliani is back on in place of Lamaro.

Millar-Mills gets pinged midway into the Italian half and the Azzurri clear to halfway.

The lineout sticks with Turner back on to throw. Here comes the Scottish maul edging, edging, and Horne breaks off the back to dive in at the corner! What an impact from the sub.

It's a very difficult kick for Russell right over at the touchline, and he can't quite make it.

A three-point game with 15v15 again. Big finish ahead!

Lamaro is offside and Russell kicks Scotland into the corner. Maybe this time it will work?!

Millar-Mills, McBeth, Williamson and Horne are on for Schoeman, Fagerson x2 and White just as a promising attack ends with Jones flinging a pass out into touch.

We now have an all-Garbisi Italy half-back partnership as Paolo's brother Alessandro comes on for Fusco at scrum-half.