Report: Italy 31-29 Scotland - Scottish Rugby

Scotland scored four tries compared to Italy's three, however, they had another try cancelled due to interference off the ball as determined by the TMO. Despite their strong start, Scotland's mistakes allowed Italy to make a comeback.

Italy took advantage of the chance and triumphantly achieved six victories over Scotland in Rome during the Six Nations tournament.

Before the match began, Scotland had a good winning streak of 13 games against Italy in all types of competitions. They were hoping to continue this winning trend and their coach Gregor Townsend was also eager to face the team he first played against when he became head coach seven years ago.

Heavy rainfall earlier today had subsided and the sun was now coming out in Rome. Stadio Olimpico was filled with an approximate number of 18,000 passionate Scotland fans who showed great support. One of Doddie's sons named Ben Weir, who was also a member of a cycling team who covered a distance of 3,000km from Scotland, arrived at the stadium and handed over the match ball to kick-off the game. The aim of their cycling journey was to raise funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

The match between Italy and Scotland started, and Andy Christie got caught. However, Scotland committed a penalty during the breakdown. Paolo Garbisi might have felt like he was experiencing the same thing again as the ball fell from the tee, just like what had happened during their last game against France. But this time, he was able to keep his calm and successfully kicked the ball, earning them a score of 3-0 just two minutes into the game.

Scotland made a quick comeback in the game when they got possession of the ball from a scrum. Cameron Redpath played well and managed to keep the ball in play towards the right touchline, while Finn Russell's impressive juggling skills were reminiscent of a show in the Edinburgh Fringe festival. George Turner carried the ball with a lot of intensity and Redpath showed good promise towards the left side of the touchline. After a total of 18 plays, Zander Fagerson made a strong push towards the goal post and scored his third try for Scotland, and second one against Italy when he made it over the line from a close distance. Russell then kicked the ball to convert the try, remaining with a perfect record in goal-kicking. This took Scotland's lead to 3-7 after just eight minutes of gameplay.

The response from the crowd was very positive and it only improved three minutes later. Duhan van der Merwe was a threat on the left side of the field, and when Scotland passed the ball to the other side, Blair Kinghorn found Kyle Steyn who powered through for his 11th try for Scotland. Russell successfully kicked the goal, bringing the score to 3-14 by the 11th minute.

In the beginning of the game, things were moving at a fast pace. Italy scored their first try after being awarded a penalty. Scrub-half Martin Page-Relo passed the ball to Ignacio Brex who caught the ball after a kick and managed to score. Garbisi successfully converted the score, making it 10-14. This happened 15 minutes into the game.

As we moved into the second part of the game, Scotland launched another exciting attack. However, the home team made a mistake by going offside in the middle of the pitch. Russell took advantage of this and scored a goal, bringing the score to 10-17, with 24 minutes of the game already played.

Christie saved the game by catching the ball in the center field from Page-Relo. This made the other players a bit panicked, but Russell was able to calm everyone down by making an impressive kick that helped Scotland move forward in the game with a 50 to 22 score.

During the lineout, Grant Gilchrist caught the ball and the forwards gathered together for a powerful push towards the try line. Pierre Schoeman made a strong surge and managed to score his fifth try for Scotland, which was also his second of the championship. Unfortunately, Russell was unable to convert the try, leaving the score at 10-22 and 26 minutes on the clock.

With his second penalty at the breakdown, Garbisi managed to gain three points, reducing the score to 13-22 at the 34-minute mark.

The first half was still quite intense. Christie managed to intercept once again and gained 45 meters before Brex tackled him down. Brex was able to draw a penalty during the tackle.

George Turner, who may have been considered the top player on Scotland's side at the time, attempted to counter Italy's clearance. However, a penalty was called against George Horne for going to ground, which was seen as insignificant. This allowed Page-Relo to score from a long-range, which was disappointing for Scotland to concede. The score stood at 16-22 and the incident occurred at the 38-minute mark.

Van der Merwe had to support Ange Capuozzo in-goal while Louis Lynagh kicked the ball into Scotland's 22. The hosts were kept at bay thanks to a successful penalty turnover won by Rory Darge.

At the halfway point of the game, the score is 16-22 in favor of Scotland over Italy.

In the second half of the game, Scotland began with great energy and enthusiasm. Turner's more straightforward running created an opening, which Huw Jones took advantage of and passed inside to George Horne, who scored a try under the posts.

The points were invalidated, nevertheless, TMO Marius van der Westhuizen intervened and informed about an infringement by Schoeman on No 8 Ross Vintcent.

To make matters even worse, something else happened. Kinghorn kicked the ball poorly, and it wasn't even in a good position because he was already in an offside position. But then Lynagh took advantage of the situation and chased after Garbisi's kick ahead, which led to him scoring in his first game. The ball that Garbisi kicked hit the post and bounced back, resulting in the score being 21-22 at the 44-minute mark.

Italy made three alterations while Scotland gave away penalties in lineouts and scrums.

Italy had an advantageous position in the game and after Vintcent's swift movement, which Kinghorn skillfully prevented, Italy shifted to the left from the scrum and their substitute scrum-half, Stephen Varney, managed to force his way over for Italy's third try. Garbisi then scored the conversion, bringing the score to 28-22 during the 57th minute.

Scotland also made substitutions, but mistakes persisted in their performance.

Sam Skinner was penalized for being offside, which allowed Garbisi to increase the home team's lead by nine points. As a result, Italy had scored 21 points without any response from the opposing team, making the score 31-22 at the 72nd minute.

When Vintcent was intentionally knocked-on, Scotland was penalized and the ball went out of bounds. However, Redpath managed to break away and pass the ball to Skinner who powered through and scored the bonus point try. Russell made the conversion and the score reached 31-29 with only two minutes left on the clock.

Despite a frenzied finish, Scotland were unable to recover from the disadvantage they faced. Italy, who have shown resilience on previous occasions, managed to secure their first victory against top-ranked opponents in their own territory since they defeated the Wallabies 28-27 in Florence in 2022.

Italy has defeated Scotland with a score of 31-29 in a full-time match.

In Italy's rugby team, we have players with unique names such as Ange Capuozzo, Louis Lynagh, Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, and Monty Ioane. These players are all part of a talented squad that includes Paolo Garbisi and Martin Page-Relo as well. Additionally, Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, and Ross Vintcent all contribute to make up the team's strong lineup. Of note, Lamaro is the captain of this group.

During the game, the coach made some substitutions. Gianmarco Lucchesi came in for Nicotera at the 50th minute, Mirco Spagnolo and Giosue Zilocchi replaced Ferrari at the same time. Andrea Zambonin, Lorenzo Cannone, and Stephen Varney entered the field for Page-Relo at the 50th minute as well, while Leonardo Marin and Federico Mori replaced Menoncello at the 71st minute.

The Scottish rugby team has selected their lineup for the upcoming match. Blair Kinghorn from Toulouse, Kyle Steyn and Huw Jones both from Glasgow Warriors, Cameron Redpath from Bath, and Duhan van der Merwe from Edinburgh Rugby will be playing in the starting lineup. Finn Russell from Bath and George Horne from Glasgow Warriors will serve as co-captains. The team also includes Pierre Schoeman from Edinburgh Rugby, George Turner and Zander Fagerson from Glasgow Warriors, Grant Gilchrist from Edinburgh Rugby, Scott Cummings from Glasgow Warriors, Andy Christie from Saracens, and Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey both from Glasgow Warriors.

Ewan Ashman from Edinburgh Rugby substituted Turner after 59 minutes. Alec Hepburn from Exeter Chiefs replaced Schoeman during the same time. Elliot Millar-Mills of Northampton Saints took over for Zander Fagerson just before the end of the game, at 71 minutes. In the 70th minute, Sam Skinner from Edinburgh Rugby came on for Gilchrist, while Jamie Ritchie from Edinburgh Rugby replaced Darge. Matt Fagerson from Glasgow Warriors substituted Christie at the same time as Ashman and Hepburn, at 59 minutes. Ali Price, who is also from Glasgow Warriors, replaced Horne during the same minute and Kyle Rowe from Glasgow Warriors was the final substitution.

Match official: Angus Gardner from Australia.

The assistant referees for the game are Karl Dickson and Adam Leal, who come from England. Marius van der Westhuizen, a South African, is the TMO for the match. Eric Gauzins from France will be in charge of the Bunker.

The top player of the match was awarded to Juan Ignacio Brex from Team Italy.