Hosts earn first home win since 2013

BBC

09 March 2024

Italy held on despite intense late pressure to secure their first Six Nations home win since 2013 as Scotland's title hopes were all but ended by an abject second-half collapse in Rome.

The Azzurri had lost 26 home games in the Six Nations since that last win over Ireland - and had lost 13 in a row overall against the Scots.

But Gonzalo Quesada's side, so heartbreakingly close to victory in France last time out, built on that to deliver Scotland's second defeat of this season's championship.

It looked like history would repeat for Paulo Garbisi as the fly-half, whose last-gasp kick to win in Lille struck a post, missed an easy conversion in a thrilling finish, but this time Italy would claim the victory.

Garbisi had kicked the hosts into an almost instant lead, but Scotland replied with tries from Zander Fagerson and Kyle Steyn before Ignacio Brex went over for Italy - all within the opening 15 minutes.

Pierre Schoeman responded again for the Scots before the break, but Louis Lynagh marked his Italy debut with a try and Stephen Varney soon crossed for another.

And, although Garbisi missed that conversion, his next penalty success put the match beyond Scotland despite Sam Skinner's late score and a multi-phase attempt to find a late winner deep into added time.

Ireland's last-gasp defeat by England means that a bonus-point win in Dublin next Saturday could still earn Scotland the title, but it would need a huge points difference swing and for England not to win with a bonus point in Paris.

Scotland left to rue second-half collapse

Andy Christie had been handed his first Test start and the flanker was immediately in the action only to concede a penalty for not releasing straight from gathering Italy's kick-off.

In a repeat of Lille, the ball fell off the tee as Garbisi lined up his penalty, but unlike against France, where he struck a post as the time limit approached, his face broke into a relieved smile as he kicked his side into an almost instant lead.

Scotland could have been spooked but instead went through 17 phases straight from the restart before Fagerson crawled just over the line from under the ruck.

Captain Finn Russell continued his 100% Six Nations record from the tee to set Scotland on his way and added another conversion soon after as they worked it across the field before Steyn held off two challenges to cross.

Just when Scotland looked to be away and flying, Italy showed their own bounce-back-ability as Martin Page-Relo's superb chip bounced perfectly into the arms of Brex, who bounced off a post as he crossed for a reply converted by Garbisi.

It had been a breath-taking first 15 minutes and Russell decided to accept the three points when presented with an opportunity under the posts.

Scotland next try was not long in coming, however, as Schoeman dropped over at the back of a rolling maul.

It was Russell's turn to wear a wry smile as the fly-half missed his first kick of the championship and, when Garbisi and Page-Relo showed greater accuracy from long range, Italy were back within six points.

Duhan van der Merwe, who remains one short of equalling Stuart Hogg's Scotland try record, superbly held up Ange Capuozzo over the try line.

It looked like it might be a defining moment as George Horne touched down immediately after the break, but Schoeman was penalised in the build-up and Italy narrowed the gap further as Lynagh dived over under the posts.

It looked a certainty that Italy would take the lead, only for Garbisi to somehow find the upright.

However, momentum was now with the hosts and Varney sped through a gap as Italy laid siege and Garbisi this time made no mistake.

There was still time for Skinner to score under the posts, but ultimately the clock was not on Scotland's side as Gregor Townsend's side paid again for a poor final quarter with their first loss to Italy for eight years.

What they said

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesda: "It was a tough game. I think we managed to become good in the second half. We didn't deal with the first half the way we should. It's a special day, though, it's a step on the growth of the team. I'm happy for them to experience a win.

"It's an amazing feeling for a coach. Eleven years without a win here and 13 against Scotland, I want to talk about the staff and the whole team not just me. We have created a special group who have worked tirelessly."

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "Italy played better in the second half and got more points than us, so of course they deserved it. I thought we came out in the second half and got the contact area sorted and created a score, but it was disallowed and after that we were ill-disciplined.

"After that try, we gave away about six penalties in a row, which let them back in the game. The players started well and finished well. We lost our discipline and gave Italy opportunities - that is the most disappointing aspect."

Line-ups

Italy: Capuozzo, Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane, P Garbisi, Page-Relo, Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro, Vintcent.

Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, L Cannone, Varney, Marin, Mori.

Scotland: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, Redpath, Van Der Merwe, Russell, Horne, Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Ritchie, M Fagerson, Price, Rowe.