Italy vs Scotland – Report – Six Nations Championship 2024 – 9 Mar, 2024،
Winger Louis Lynagh became an instant hero with a try on his debut as Italy rallied to beat Scotland 31-29 in a dramatic Six Nations clash on Saturday and put a huge damper on the championship hopes of its opponents.
The son of former Australian great Michael Lynagh, Louis was born in Italy and his try, along with scores from center Ignacio Brex and replacement scrum-half Stephen Varney, helped Italy come back from 22-16 down at mid -time and to highlight his improvement under the direction of the new coach. Gonzalo Quesada.
Scotland dominated in the first 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 rest of the match.
Italy forced that pressure with a heroic display in securing a first win over Scotland since 2015, and made up to some extent for their 13-13 draw against France last time out when flyhalf Paolo Garbisi missed a kick at the end of the match. game to win it.
Scotland have 11 points from four Six Nations matches, four behind leaders Ireland, who can win the title later on Saturday when they face England at Twickenham.
Italy, who claimed their first Six Nations victory since beating Wales in the final match of the 2022 tournament, are fourth with seven points.
Garbisi had an early penalty opportunity and, in a carbon copy of his heartbreaking miss against France, almost ran out of time, again before brushing it aside with a wry smile on his face.
Once again the ball fell off the tee and the Scottish players had to be warned not to charge the kick and Garbisi converted with less than 10 seconds left on the shot clock.
From there Scotland took control and staged 18 phases before Ferguson took over and Steyn crossed after some more adventurous rugby with the ball in hand.
Italy needed an answer and got it with a superb score.
Scrum-half Martin Page-Relo fired a perfectly balanced kick behind the defense and Brex was able to gather and go under the posts.
Scotland grabbed a third try as a brilliant 50-22 from flyhalf Finn Russell set up an attacking lineout and Schoeman took over.
Russell failed with the conversion, his first miss in this year's Six Nations, and one that proved crucial in the final result.
A long-range penalty from Page-Relo kept Italy in the contest with Scotland leading 22-16 at half-time after a nail-biting first 40 minutes, but the momentum had swung in their favor.
Garbisi's superb grubber early in the second half was perfect for Lynagh to rally and score and, roaring in front of a sell-out crowd at the Stadio Olympico, Italy struck in front when Varney crossed the try line.
Scotland managed to score four tries and lose bonus points thanks to Skinner's late score.
