Italy 18-15 Scotland
Azzurri resist fightback in appalling conditions
They say the Six Nations is all about momentum and Scotland, again, find themselves sliding rapidly downhill. Passion and effort are guaranteed from any Italy team but they were clinical here too and defended magnificently. They ruthlessly capitalised on Scotland’s often rank inaccuracy and a richly deserved win – their second in three years against Scotland – sets them up beautifully for the tournament.
The fly-half Paolo Garbisi played the appallingly wet conditions superbly to celebrate his 50th Test cap, testing the visitors’ defence with regular, spiralling contestable kicks and mostly striking the ball well off the tee. The centres Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, also marking his 50th cap, were sensational again while the energy and skill of the wing Louis Lynagh significantly softened the blow of Ange Capuozzo’s injury absence. Collectively, in difficult conditions, Italy’s handling and ball movement were far superior to Scotland’s and arguably, for head coach Gregor Townsend and his players, there is no excuse for that.
Scotland were outplayed but caused their own downfall in so many respects. The set-piece, ball-handling and discipline were all shockingly poor at times. Townsend was already under pressure, which will now intensify, and perhaps they can raise their level for England next Saturday. But that is not the point. If progress is truly being made, this was a match they had to win.
