Italy v Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Azzurri hold on for famous win in Rome
Italy 31-29 Scotland: The Azzurri held on in a thriller to seal a first win over Scotland since 2015
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Your support makes all the difference.Winger Louis Lynagh made himself an instant hero with a try on debut as Italy rallied to beat Scotland 31-29 in a dramatic Six Nations clash and put a huge dent in their opponents’ championship hopes.
The son of former Australia great Michael Lynagh was born in Italy and his try, along with scores from centre Ignacio Brex and replacement scrumhalf Stephen Varney, helped Italy come from 22-16 down at halftime and underline their improvement under new coach Gonzalo Quesada.
Scotland were dominant in the opening half-hour, scoring tries through props Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman and winger Kyle Steyn, but they made numerous errors and could only manage a late try from lock Sam Skinner in the remainder of the game.
Italy forced that pressure with a heroic display as they claimed a first win over Scotland since 2015, and made up to a degree for their 13-13 draw with France last time out when fly half Paolo Garbisi missed a kick at the end of the game to win it.
Relive the Italy vs Scotland thriller in today’s blog below:
Andy Farrell reacts to Ireland’s defeat
“I actually thought England deserved to win. We fought back unbelievably well against the run of play, finding a way to get ourselves in front. But England deserved it with the pressure they had and created. Congratulations to them.
“You talk about the grand slam stuff but every game matters. We want to win everything. That’s life, you dust yourselves down. We’ve been very good at winning and moving on to the next one; we’ve got to be good at losing and moving on as well. We’ll have a beer with them, dust ourselves down tomorrow and make sure we turn up with a smile on their face because we’ve got a championship to win next weekend.”
Scotland suffer Six Nations disaster as thrilling Italy secure famous win
Scotland’s Six Nations campaign unravelled in disastrous fashion in Rome as they crashed to a first defeat against Italy since 2015.
Gregor Townsend’s side looked set to tighten their grip on second place – and keep themselves on course for a first top-two finish this century – when they held 14-3 and 22-10 leads in the first half following tries from props Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman either side of a score from Kyle Steyn.
However, the Scots completely lost their way after the interval as they fell to a 31-29 loss against an Italian side who – despite several encouraging displays that helped draw a capacity crowd to the Stadio Olimpico – had not won a Six Nations match since victory in Wales two years ago.
This chastening defeat in the Eternal City is sure to crank up the heat on head coach Townsend five months after exiting the World Cup at the group stage.
Scotland suffer Six Nations disaster as thrilling Italy secure famous win
Italy 31-29 Scotland: The Azzurri held on in a Rome thriller to seal a first win over Scotland since 2015
Juan Ignacio Brex on Italy’s victory
“We are really happy,” the centre tells ITV. “We worked hard today and maybe we will have something special after, but we will prepare for the next game and also celebrate today.
“We talked a lot of times about the passion and I think we showed the world we have the passion in the last few minutes of the game - it is not a problem as it is in our blood.
“It means a lot for the movement of Italian rugby. The people need to believe in us and they are showing that they are believing in us.”
Permutations
That Italy win means that Ireland will secure another Six Nations crown with a win of any kind, or draw, against England this evening.
Italy shock Scotland to secure first home win in Six Nations for 11 years
What scenes at the Stadio Olimpico.
FT: Italy 31-29 Scotland
Remarkable. Scotland were flying into this week off the back of another Calcutta Cup success, and after that fast first quarter, looked to be charging towards a bonus point victory. But Italy grew into the game, and they controlled that second half superbly. So many standouts in Italian blue, but mention must go to Tommaso Menoncello and Ross Vintcent particularly - two titanic performances today.
FT: Italy 31-29 Scotland
What a result for Italy - the first win under Gonzalo Quesada and a first at home in the Six Nations since 2013!
Scotland’s title challenge is over - it’s Italy’s day in Rome.
Italy 31-29 Scotland, 84 minutes
BUT SCOTLAND KNOCK ON! FORZA! VICTORY FOR ITALY!
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