Louis Lynagh scores Italy’s first try in their win over Scotland.
Photo: AFP
Winger Louis Lynagh scored one try and made another, as Italy edged Scotland 18-15 in their Six Nations Championship opener, while England routed in Wales 48-7 at Twickenham.
In the match at Rome’s Olympic stadium, torrential rain limited the ability of both sides to attack.
Centre Tommaso Menoncello capitalised on Lynagh’s good work for Italy’s other try. They were dominant in the scrum and picked off several Scotland lineouts, as they completed only their second win over their opponents in the last 16 meetings.
Scotland were well below par in a sluggish start to their campaign, but managed tries through No.8 Jack Dempsey and halfback George Horne, and stayed in the contest until the end.
“Obviously, the guys are very disappointed,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend told BBC. “The effort was there.
“A lot of what we trained was in place. We just gave away too many possessions.
“Of course, there’ll be criticism for the result and the performance. I’m with my team.
“I was hugely proud of the effort they put in at the end, trying to find a way to win. It was really tough and we know we need to be better in that first 20 minutes.”
The Scots were not helped by a second-half yellow card for replacement hooker George Turner, but were unable to play their usual high-tempo game in slippery conditions and behind a creaking set-piece.
Italy made a fast start and Lynagh crossed in the corner inside eight minutes, before Menoncello added a second to give the hosts a 12-0 lead.
Scotland needed a full 20 minutes to click into gear, but when they did, they advanced into the Italy 22 and Dempsey crossed from close range.
Paolo Garbisi landed a penalty to give Italy a 15-7 lead at halftime.
The conditions did not improve in the second period and the contest turned into an arm-wrestle among the forwards.
Scotland were down to 14 players, when Turner received a yellow card for a dangerous entry into the ruck.
The visitors hung on in the contest, despite their retreating set-piece, and scored a second try through Horne.
Scotland took the ball through nearly 30 phases in the final play of the game, but found making metres tough in the wet, and the ball was eventually held up, allowing Italy to celebrate a famous win.
“Absolutely incredible,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said. “I think that shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, for this country.”
“We couldn’t ask our team mates to do more. Now we’ve got a dream in our head.”
England hammer hapless Wales
Coach Steve Borthwick said England will continue with innovative tactics such as back-rowers deployed in the centre and on the wing following his team’s 48-7 rout of Wales at Twickenham.
England wing Henry Arundell scores the team’s first try against Wales.
Photo: AFP
George Ford’s clinical display staked a strong claim for the England 10 shirt, with rival Fin Smith injured and namesake Marcus relegated to the bench.
“I am loving my rugby and enjoying doing my job for the team,” Ford said. “The environment, the squad, team and coaches, I am loving it,”
Borthwick said the side’s blend of veterans like Ford and Jamie George with younger talents coming through had shown England’s developing strength.
“If you’ve got that, then these youngsters trying to bring the energy they bring, that’s a great mix,” he said.
In contrast to the 100-cap Ford was winger Henry Arundell, recently recalled to the side, after falling from favour since the 2023 World Cup and a stint in France.
The evasive winger impressed with a first-half hattrick that showcased his speed, positional sense and side-stepping ability, although he will have harder finishes than the two put on a plate for him by Ford.
“He has been brilliant,” Jamie George said of Arundell. “He reminds me of Jonny May with his diligence and preparation, the way he’s gone away and developed so many different areas of his game.”
Another England tyro – 21-year-old flanker Henry Pollock – exemplified coach Borthwick’s more experimental side of late, as he appeared on the wing in the latter stages of the game. That followed an earlier shift and more familiar shift for No.8 Ben Earl to the centres, a ploy that Borthwick said he would continue to use.
“He did a good job there,”Borthwick said. “It’s particularly effective late game, when you’re up on the scoreboard, you’ve got the opposition trying to use the ball in hand more and suddenly you’ve got four back rows on the field.”
England will face tougher tests ahead as they bid for a first title since the Covid-hit 2020 season, with champions France looking in ominous touch after their opening drubbing of Ireland.
Powerful centre Ollie Lawrence trained well this week, after recovering from injury, and could be in contention for England’s next match away to Scotland, Borthwick said.
France beat Ireland 36-14 in Paris on Friday.
– Reuters