Scotland started their 2026 Six Nations campaign in the worst possible way, losing 18-15 to Italy in heavy rain in Rome.
For Italy, wing Louis Riner and center Tommaso Menoncello scored tries, while fly-half Paolo Garbisi added a conversion and two penalties.
Scotland, trailing by two points for much of the match, scored two tries from scrum-half George Horne, who replaced number eight Jack Dempsey, and Finn Russell added a conversion and a penalty.
However, despite substitute hooker George Turner being sin-binned in the second half, Scotland, coached by Gregor Townsend, were unable to turn the tables and lost by three points in the Italian capital.
A shaky start to the game saw both teams lose their first lineout ball, with Scotland losing their second lineout ball despite being in a good position inside Italy’s 22.
Lorenzo Cannone’s breakdown penalty put Italy on the back foot, and the hosts scored the first try in the 8th minute, with Reiner running on and finishing with a superb grubber kick assist from Juan Ignacio Brex.
Luis Reiner crossed in the 8th minute to give Italy the first try.
Italy were soon under pressure when Paolo Garbisi’s conversion missed the post and Scotland’s restart was spilled resulting in a scrum penalty.
However, Scotland lost their lineout again in the 22nd minute to Italy, and their chances were ruined.
Instead, Italy then scored their second try when Riner rose to his feet and brilliantly caught Alessandro Fusco’s high box kick over his head, play widened to the left and athletic center Menoncello sprinted home to score in the corner.
Menoncello (right) scored Italy’s second goal, clinching a 12-0 victory.
This time it was Garbisi who scored to make it 12-0, but Italy were caught offside and Scotland quickly hit back, with Finn Russell kicking a five-metre lineout attack into the corner.
Once again Scotland’s lineout possession was shaky (the ball spilled out to the back), but the visiting team decisively maintained possession and continued to attack. Ben O’Keeffe’s terrible refereeing error left Italian flanker Manuel Zuliani unrewarded with a clear breakdown penalty, leaving Scotland’s last row Dempsey to step and dive.
Scotland’s back row Jack Dempsey scored in the first half to put Scotland into the Test.
Russell scored to make it 12-7, but after visiting captain Sione Tuipulotu was penalized for obstruction, Italy took a corner kick where Garbisi forced in a penalty to extend their lead to 15-7. It came after Italy’s number 10 missed a drop goal with an advantage from the front.
As the first half drew to a close in a biblical rainstorm, Garbisi missed another drop goal.
Menoncello made a nice long break early in the second half, but Scotland’s scrambling defense did its best and Italy missed a try.
The away side lost their first three lineouts after the break, the third from five meters out, but Scotland added three points thanks to Russell.
Scottish winger Jamie Dobbie brought the restart into touch and Italy regained a two-goal lead with hooker Euan Ashman latching onto Zuliani high and adding three more points.
Incredibly wet conditions made the test all about mistakes and kicks
Russell got a quick restart, but Reiner’s neck roll on George Turner ended Italy’s promising position.
Turner was soon sin-binned by Zuliani’s shoulder-charged ruck clearance, but Italy were unable to score another point in 10 minutes against a side with one fewer man.
A clear interference from winger Monti Ioane went unnoticed, but this proved to be crucial as Italy were immediately penalized for offside.
Scotland took a corner kick and Horne slipped in within seconds to score, with most of the remaining players on the pitch being sucked into the maul.
Russell’s conversion went wide, reducing the gap to three points, and a choke-tackle maul gave Italy a deserved victory, despite Scotland pushing Italy to 22 points with the final attack of the extra-29 phase.
Tuipulotu: Defeat is very frustrating | Ramalo: This victory will give us great confidence going forward
Scotland captain Sione Tuipolotu told BBC Sport:
“It’s very frustrating. We conceded goals easily in the early stages and then it’s too difficult to get points in the conditions.
“The mistake is ours. We carried too loosely. In the end they adjusted better than us. That’s our fault.”
Italy captain Michele Ramaro told BBC Sport:
“The team, this jersey and my heart, we’re here to play this kind of game, we practice hard for the joy of doing this.
“It’s an honor to get this big result. Scotland are a very good team and we know what they are capable of.
“It gives us a lot of confidence to win against a team like that.”
What’s next?
Scotland next host England at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday 14 February (4.40pm kick-off) in the second Six Nations fixture.
Italy are on the road to face Ireland in the second leg of the Six Nations on Saturday February 14th at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (kick-off 2.10pm).
