Italy v Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Azzurri hold on for famous win in Rome

Italy 31-29 Scotland: The Azzurri held on in a thriller to seal a first win over Scotland since 2015

Related video: Scotland train at Twickenham

Winger Louis Lynagh made himself an instant hero with a try on debut as Italy rallied to beat Scotland 31-29 in a dramatic Six Nations clash and put a huge dent in their opponents’ championship hopes.

The son of former Australia great Michael Lynagh was born in Italy and his try, along with scores from centre Ignacio Brex and replacement scrumhalf Stephen Varney, helped Italy come from 22-16 down at halftime and underline their improvement under new coach Gonzalo Quesada.

Scotland were dominant in the opening 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 remainder of the game.

Italy forced that pressure with a heroic display as they claimed a first win over Scotland since 2015, and made up to a degree for their 13-13 draw with France last time out when fly half Paolo Garbisi missed a kick at the end of the game to win it.

Relive the Italy vs Scotland thriller in today’s blog below:

Italy v Scotland LIVE: Latest updates from Six Nations

• Italy beat Scotland 31-29 in Six Nations thriller
• The Azzurri record a first win over the Scots since 2015 and a first at home sicne 2012
• FULL-TIME! Italy 31-29 Scotland
• 78’ - TRY! Skinner dives over to bring Scotland within two points and set up grandstand finale (ITA 31-29 SCO)
• 57’ - TRY! Varney dummy and snipe gives Italy the lead (ITA 28-22 SCO)
• 44’ - TRY! Lynagh latches on to Garbisi grubber kick to dive over for debut try (ITA 21-22 SCO)
• 42’ - NO TRY! Horne score called back after Schoeman blocks Vintcent off the ball (ITA 16-22 SCO)
• 29’ - TRY! Schoeman burrows over the line (ITA 10-22 SCO)
• 15’ - TRY! Italy immediately strike back as Brex dots down Page-Relo’s chip (ITA 10-14 SCO)
• 12’ - TRY! Steyn finishes well after a number of patient Scottish phases (ITA 3-14 SCO)
• 7’ - TRY! Fagerson powers over from close range (ITA 3-7 SCO)

[9 March 2024 19:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Andy Farrell reacts to Ireland’s defeat

“I actually thought England deserved to win. We fought back unbelievably well against the run of play, finding a way to get ourselves in front. But England deserved it with the pressure they had and created. Congratulations to them.

“You talk about the grand slam stuff but every game matters. We want to win everything. That’s life, you dust yourselves down. We’ve been very good at winning and moving on to the next one; we’ve got to be good at losing and moving on as well. We’ll have a beer with them, dust ourselves down tomorrow and make sure we turn up with a smile on their face because we’ve got a championship to win next weekend.”

[9 March 2024 16:38 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Scotland suffer Six Nations disaster as thrilling Italy secure famous win

Scotland’s Six Nations campaign unravelled in disastrous fashion in Rome as they crashed to a first defeat against Italy since 2015.

Gregor Townsend’s side looked set to tighten their grip on second place – and keep themselves on course for a first top-two finish this century – when they held 14-3 and 22-10 leads in the first half following tries from props Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman either side of a score from Kyle Steyn.

However, the Scots completely lost their way after the interval as they fell to a 31-29 loss against an Italian side who – despite several encouraging displays that helped draw a capacity crowd to the Stadio Olimpico – had not won a Six Nations match since victory in Wales two years ago.

This chastening defeat in the Eternal City is sure to crank up the heat on head coach Townsend five months after exiting the World Cup at the group stage.

[9 March 2024 16:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Juan Ignacio Brex on Italy’s victory

“We are really happy,” the centre tells ITV. “We worked hard today and maybe we will have something special after, but we will prepare for the next game and also celebrate today.

“We talked a lot of times about the passion and I think we showed the world we have the passion in the last few minutes of the game - it is not a problem as it is in our blood.

“It means a lot for the movement of Italian rugby. The people need to believe in us and they are showing that they are believing in us.”

(Getty Images)

[9 March 2024 16:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Permutations

That Italy win means that Ireland will secure another Six Nations crown with a win of any kind, or draw, against England this evening.

[9 March 2024 16:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy shock Scotland to secure first home win in Six Nations for 11 years

What scenes at the Stadio Olimpico.

[9 March 2024 16:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FT: Italy 31-29 Scotland

Remarkable. Scotland were flying into this week off the back of another Calcutta Cup success, and after that fast first quarter, looked to be charging towards a bonus point victory. But Italy grew into the game, and they controlled that second half superbly. So many standouts in Italian blue, but mention must go to Tommaso Menoncello and Ross Vintcent particularly - two titanic performances today.

[9 March 2024 16:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FT: Italy 31-29 Scotland

What a result for Italy - the first win under Gonzalo Quesada and a first at home in the Six Nations since 2013!

Scotland’s title challenge is over - it’s Italy’s day in Rome.

[9 March 2024 16:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FULL TIME! ITALY 31-29 SCOTLAND

(Getty Images)

[9 March 2024 16:04 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 31-29 Scotland, 84 minutes

BUT SCOTLAND KNOCK ON! FORZA! VICTORY FOR ITALY!

[9 March 2024 16:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy 31-29 Scotland, 83 minutes

Finn Russell pulls the strings, trying to tug Italy out of alignment. No luck, Kyle Steyn dragged down. 23 phases and counting! A penalty would be enough and they are in range.