Scotland vs Italy LIVE: Six Nations result and reaction as title-chasing hosts start with hard-fought win
Scotland 31-19 Italy: Scotland raced into an early lead but the Azzurri fought back to 19-19 before the hosts pulled away late on
Scotland have hope of mounting a Six Nations title challenge as they embark on a fresh campaign against Italy.
While optimism has been punctured somewhat by a string of untimely injuries, Gregor Townsend’s settled squad are confident that they can build on their development over the last few years and back up big performances to challenge for a long-awaited title. In the absence of captain Sione Tuipulotu, all-action openside Rory Darge and star fly half Finn Russell lead the hosts into a first battle with a visiting team that enjoyed a tournament to remember in 2024.
Two wins and a draw last year marked Italy’s best performance in 25 years as a constituent part of this championship. Many of the faces remain the same as Gonzalo Quesada seeks yet more progress with belief that his side’s days scrabbling for the wooden spoon may be at an end. An opening weekend win in Edinburgh would be quite the statement of intent...
Relive all the action from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Scotland 19-6 Italy, 35 mins
The scrum goes down and we have a couple of resets. Third time lucky and Matt Fagerson picks from No 8 and snipes right.
Slow ball for the Scots so they keep it tight and Italy then win the penalty! Good defensive effort and it’s Garbisi who earns the turnover at the breakdown with a jackal attempt.
Scotland 19-6 Italy, 32 mins
Brilliant work by McDowall as he hares after a kick through and pushes Garbisi back over his own line with the tackle. Superb.
Scotland have a scrum five metres from the Italian line.
TRY! Scotland 19-6 Italy (Ben White, 30 mins)
Lineout secure and Scotland try to maul it. Initially stopped but Cherry slips to the right, gets within a couple of metres and pops a sublime offload out the back door to Ben White who can dot down!
White looked a bit surprised to see his hooker come up with that offload - champagne rugby from the big fella! Russell’s conversion slips wide but Scotland back in control.
Scotland 14-6 Italy, 28 mins
Italy scrum holds and Garbisi thumps clear. Good set from Italy to stop the try and then exit there.
Scotland come again though and win a penalty when Negri is pinged for being off his feet and slapping the ball down. Interestingly, Scotland turn down the three points and go to the corner.
Scotland 14-6 Italy, 27 mins
So close! Scotland go right, they look like they’re about to score, Russell goes through a half-gap but as he powers through a Cannone hit, the ball is dislodged by the Italian No 8 and flies forward.
Saved a try! Although Italy now have a scrum on their own five-metre line.
Scotland 14-6 Italy, 26 mins
Scotland looking to regain the momentum after those two Azzurri penalties. They run some phases in the Italian half.
Good, disciplined defence keeping them outside the 22. Jones probes to the right but again hits a white wall.
They go left, Van der Merwe runs on to it and offloads out of a Capuozzo tackle! Kinghorn into the 22.
PENALTY! Scotland 14-6 Italy (Tommaso Allan, 24 mins)
It’s 47.6 metres out, again pretty central but another great kick by Tommaso Allan. Great strike and has the distance.
Penalties moving Italy back within striking distance
Scotland 14-3 Italy, 23 mins
Brex fires out of the defensive line and absolutely levels Graham - superb hit, clean, hard and low. And wins the turnover as Scotland subsequently seal off at the ruck!
Allan calls for the tee once again
PENALTY! Scotland 14-3 Italy (Tommaso Allan, 21 mins)
Tommaso Allan has taken over kicking duties from Paolo Garbisi this year and he’s off to a good start. It’s dead centre, albeit a far way out but he slots it. Italy on the board
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