Italy grind out win against struggling Scotland
MATCH REPORT: Scotland rallied but a resilient Italian side, playing in treacherous conditions, held out to clinch victory in their Six Nations opener at Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
Italy was brilliant in terms of how they managed conditions in the second half, especially with their kicking and set-piece, where they dominated for most of the game.
Italy’s first attack produced their opening try as a grubber kick into open space sat perfectly for Louis Lynagh, who gathered cleanly to score in the corner.
Paolo Garbisi’s conversion struck the upright and bounced away, but it was still a dream start for the hosts.
Italy continued to run riot as Scotland struggled to contain them.
Lynagh rose superbly to outjump Tom Jordan for a high ball and, from there, the hosts spread it wide with ruthless efficiency, Tommaso Menoncello racing down the left touchline to score their second try, which Paolo Garbisi converted.
It would have become a three-score game for Italy, a significant margin in those conditions, where handling the ball was far more difficult than it might appear.
It was a disastrous start for Scotland, with the back three in disarray and basic errors creeping into every area – right down to the ill-fated lilac kit.
A delightful flick from Matt Fagerson opened the door before Jack Dempsey stepped off his right foot, beat two defenders and crossed for Scotland’s first try after 20 minutes of Italian dominance.
It was a dismal first half for Scotland. They were second best in nearly every department.
As the second half started, Scotland earned a lineout on the edge of Italy’s 22, only for Ewan Ashman’s wayward throw to hand possession straight back to the hosts.
Tommaso Menoncello then burst over halfway before being hauled down into a sizeable puddle, but Scotland clawed back momentum by forcing a penalty at the breakdown and kicking to touch, giving Ashman another chance at the lineout.
At this stage, the rain was so bad that the pitch must’ve been close to being unplayable as the players were aquaplaning on the pitch.
Scotland’s Ewan Ashman hesitated over another lineout throw, and it was stolen once more, bringing Scotland’s tally of lost lineouts to five.
They had a shot with a penalty as Rory Darge got over the ball to win a penalty, and Finn Russell called for his kicking tee and split the posts.
Scotland was back within five points.
But then a high tackle by Ewan Ashman on Italy flanker Manuel Zuliani awarded the Italians another three points courtesy of Garbisi’s boot, which stretched their lead to 18-10.
Scotland’s set-piece cracked again as Italy shoved them back at scrum time, celebrating the resulting penalty with relish.
Gregor Townsend’s side were being overpowered up front.
Scotland’s replacement hooker, George Turner, got his marching orders after leading with his shoulder when attacking a ruck.
Matt Fagerson took over Scotland’s lineout throwing duties and at least found a teammate — an improvement on what had come before.
The handling was treacherous in the difficult conditions.
The match was slipping away from Scotland, yet there was little sense of urgency, almost as if they had resigned themselves to their fate.
The conditions were dreadful, but that only partly explained it – Scotland had been poor.
Scotland won a penalty in Italy 22.
Finn Russell kicked to the corner, and Scotland’s lineout was under the spotlight again. This time it worked.
It was a brilliant finish in the corner after Scotland won a rare lineout. George Horne spun and slid over in the corner under pressure from two Italian defenders.
Finn Russell’s conversion attempt was off target, but they closed the gap to 15-18.
There had never been a draw in the history of this fixture. Was the first one of the cards?
A punt by Garbisi in behind Scotland found touch, hoping to keep Scotland penned in their own half as they headed into the last ten minutes.
A handling error meant Italy hada scrum in the opposition half.
And then Garbisi had a shot at goal, but opted for the corner, with three minutes to go, after another huge Italian scrum.
They fumbled it, Russell kicked for touch but the clock was winding down.
Time was up, but Scotland forced another penalty and kicked themselves slightly further downfield.
Time was up on the clock, Scotland was holding onto the ball as they slowly edged downfield, with 20-plus phases.
Italy’s defence stood firm, and when Max Williamson was held up in the tackle, Italy claimed a famous win in the rain.
Man of the Match: Paolo Garbisi. For a flyhalf to direct the game in pouring rain, he was exceptional.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Tries: Lynagh, Menoncello
Cons: Garbisi
Pens: Garbisi 2
For Scotland:
Tries: Dempsey, Horne
Cons: Russell
Pens: Russell
Yellow card: George Turner (for Scotland – 55’ for foul play)
Teams:
Italy: 15 Leonardo Marin, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Giacomo Da Re, 23 Lorenzo Pani.
Scotland: 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Darcy Graham.Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand) & Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
