Rugby Union: Dismal defeat for Scots
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Italy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Scotland A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
THE SCOTS might reasonably have hoped for something rather more revivalist after the crushing Test defeat by New Zealand than their A team's rather dismal reverse against the full Italian national side at the Stadio Battaglini on Saturday, writes Our Correspondent from Rovigo.
There was some encouragement from the forthright contribution of the forwards - notably the three Anglos picked out afterwards by the coach, David Johnston - but the dismal aspects were the failure of the backs to function and the failure of either side to find any fluency. The game was an awful let-down.
Partly this was due to the spoiling tactics of the Italians, all too
familiar from their game against England at Twickenham in the World Cup two years ago. If there is any danger of the ball being freed, they will do their best to kill it - which was one good reason for the Scottish backs' ineffectiveness.
Predictably, then, it boiled down to a kicking shoot-out in which
Italy's Argentine exile, Diego Dominguez, was the winner. He and the Scotland A full-back, Michael Dods, had landed five apiece when Dominguez lined up the decisive kick from five yards inside his own half with 20 minutes remaining. Dods had to be replaced five minutes later and the Scots' final chance went to Kenny Logan, who was wide with a long-range effort.
Scotland had briefly led during the third quarter and their failure to hold on was a grievous disappointment for Johnston, who said: 'We had the possession to control the game but never dictated it the way we should have. But there were good things that came out of it. We hadn't seen Alan Sharp at this level and he, Peter Walton and Dale McIntosh came through very well.'
The same could not be said for any of the backs, but Shade Munro did no harm to his chances of winning a senior place in the problem lock position.
All of these must be in with a shout of a full Scotland place in the New Year. An indication of whether the selectors feel the same way will come with the announcement on Wednesday of the next A team, to play Ireland on 28 December.
Italy: Penalties Dominguez 6. Scotland A: Penalties Dods 5.
ITALY: P Vaccari (Calvisano); R Crotti, M Bonomi (Milan), G Filizzola (Roma), M Ravazzola (Calvisano); D Dominguez (Milan), U Casellato (Treviso); M Cuttitta (Milan), C Orlandi (Piacenza), F Properzi-Curti (Milan), M Giacheri (Treviso), A Sgorlon (San Dona), C Checchinato (Rovigo), D Beretta (Milan).
SCOTLAND A: M Dods (Gala); K Milligan (Stewart's / Melville FP), S Nichol (Selkirk), I Jardine, K Logan (Stirling County); D Wyllie (Stewart's / Melville FP, capt), B Redpath (Melrose); A Sharp (Bristol), K McKenzie (Stirling County), P Wright (Boroughmuir), S Munro (Glasgow High / Kelvinside), A Macdonald (Heriot's FP), P Walton (Northampton), D McIntosh (Pontypridd), C Hogg (Melrose). Replacement: D Stark (Boroughmuir) for Dods, 65.
Referee: D Roelands (Belgium).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments