Italy Defy Scotland 18–15 in Six Nations Opener - A Roman Stand in the Rain

JN Sport | JN Sport Correspondent

Rome Wasn’t Built for Running Rugby

There are games where flair wins you column inches and games where survival earns you respect, and Italy v Scotland in Rome was unmistakably the latter, a low-scoring, rain-soaked arm-wrestle decided not by brilliance but by who best understood the evening’s cruel terms. From the moment the heavens opened over the Stadio Olimpico, it was clear this would never be a match for highlight reels or glossy replays, but rather one shaped by territory, collisions, aerial nerve and an uncompromising defensive resolve. Italy grasped that reality almost instantly, while Scotland flirted with ignoring it, and in doing so paid a heavy price.

Early Punches and Gain-Line Intent

Italy struck early and, more importantly, decisively, with Louis Lynagh crossing in the seventh minute after a phase that encapsulated everything the hosts wanted this game to be. Twelve in blue thundered over the gain line with real intent, bending Scotland backwards and forcing defensive fractures that simply cannot be patched up in those conditions. Six minutes later, Menoncello powered over after more muscular, direct work, and with two tries inside 13 minutes, both forged through force rather than poetry, the tone for the night had been firmly set.

Paolo Garbisi, increasingly the calm axis around which this Italian side turns, converted both scores and later added two penalties, and in weather like this that quiet authority was priceless. He did not chase the spectacular or force the issue, instead nudging Italy into the right areas, steadying the tempo and trusting that his defence would do the rest.

Scotland’s Gamble Against the Conditions

Scotland, for their part, remained busy without ever truly looking comfortable, and their repeated refusal to take kickable penalties in favour of more expansive ambition felt increasingly disconnected from the realities unfolding around them. This was not Murrayfield in May with a dry track and a fast ball; this was Rome in winter, with rain slicking the surface and breakdowns turning into wrestling matches. Each turned-down three points kept the door ajar, and Italy, growing in confidence with every minute, were more than happy to wedge their foot firmly in it.

Those issues were only compounded by a faltering set piece, with multiple line-outs lost at key moments, while George Turner’s yellow card for a dangerous clear-out at the ruck arrived at precisely the wrong time, stalling what little momentum Scotland had begun to build.

The Aerial Battle and Fusco’s Control

A significant part of Italy’s grip on the contest came through Stephen Fusco at scrum-half, whose box-kicking was as intelligent as it was accurate, hanging high in the Roman air and forcing Scotland into uncomfortable decisions under pressure. In a match where both sides combined for well over 50 kicks, Italy’s were largely purposeful and contestable, while Scotland’s, too often, felt hopeful rather than planned, a subtle but telling difference on a night like this.

A Defence That Refused to Fracture

What followed was Italy’s most complete defensive performance in recent memory, a display built on organisation, aggression and, crucially, trust. Scotland threw phases at them in search of cracks, but the line folded, realigned and hunted together, refusing to blink even as fatigue set in and the rain continued to fall. Garbisi marshalled calmly from behind, the system held firm, and the crowd sensed that something significant was building.

Late Drama and a Missed Moment

Scotland did find a route back into the contest, with Dempsey crashing over in the 23rd minute before late drama arrived when Russell kicked to touch from a penalty on 65 minutes with Italy leading 18–10. The maul rolled, Horne finished neatly in the corner, and suddenly the game tightened when Russell pushed the conversion wide, leaving the score at 18–15 and the stadium holding its breath.

Italy responded with a moment that spoke volumes about their growing belief. Awarded a scrum penalty on Scotland’s 22 in the 76th minute, Garbisi ignored the posts and kicked to the corner instead, a brave decision that did not yield points but did pin Scotland deep and underline that Italy were playing to win rather than merely to survive.

29 Phases and a Roman Stand

The final act was as brutal as it was compelling. Scotland clawed their way back downfield through penalties and a line-out maul, Russell kicking into touch 35 metres out, before launching one last assault. Phase after phase followed — 29 in total — each carry met by blue shirts, each metre earned the hardest way possible, until Italy finally held Scotland up over the line in the 83rd minute to seal a famous victory.

Context, History and a Statement Made

Context only sharpens the achievement. Italy have beaten Scotland just three times in Six Nations history, and opening-round victories have been even rarer since their introduction to the Championship in 2000. To start a campaign like this, against a side with genuine ambitions and in conditions that strip rugby back to its rawest form, felt like a statement of real substance.

This was not pretty, nor was it ever meant to be, but it was messy, physical, attritional and utterly compelling. Italy did not just win the game; they won the weather, the moments and the fight, and in Rome, drenched and defiant, that proved to be more than enough