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 10:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Pete Horne gives insight into Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe’s driven mindset

Pete Horne has given an insight into the driven mindset of record-chasing Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe ahead of the Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome.

The 28-year-old’s match-defining hat-trick against England a week past Saturday took him to 26 international touchdowns, within one of Stuart Hogg at the top of the Scots’ list of all-time try-scorers.

Van Der Merwe could equal or break the record if he crosses the whitewash at the Stadio Olimpico.

[9 March 2024 10:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Rory Darge: Duhan van der Merwe will not be distracted by Scotland record

After a scintillating hat-trick in the Calcutta Cup, Duhan van der Merwe needs just two scores to surpass Stuart Hogg as Scotland’s top try-scorer in Test history. But co-captain Rory Darge insists that the wing won’t be distracted from the main task at hand.

[9 March 2024 09:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Louis Lynagh to make Italy debut

Louis Lynagh, the son of former Australia flyhalf Michael, will make his debut for Italy in their Six Nations meeting with Scotland after head coach Gonzalo Quesada named the wing in his team on Thursday.

Lynagh was born in Italy and has played at Under-20 level for England where he grew up. He will play his club rugby at Benetton in Italy next season, with his signing from Harlequins confirmed last month.

With Lynagh in at wing, Tommaso Menoncello moves back to centre alongside Ignacio Brex, with Federico Mori dropping to the bench.

Sebastian Negri returns to the side after the flanker missed the last two games through injury, replacing Riccardo Favretto. Prop Simone Ferrari comes in for Giosue Zilocchi in the only other change from last month’s draw against France.

Ross Vintcent, who made his first start in the last game against France, keeps his place at number eight, and Martin Page-Relo is again preferred at scrumhalf, with Stephen Varney named on the bench.

(Getty Images)

[9 March 2024 09:30 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

George Horne handed rare start as Scotland make three changes for Italy clash

Scrum half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland’s Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.

The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.

[9 March 2024 09:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Gregor Townsend says there is still more to come from Scotland in Six Nations

Gregor Townsend is desperate to see Scotland hit their maximum performance levels over the next two weekends as they bid to secure a first top-two finish in the Six Nations era.

The Scots are second in the championship table – a point ahead of England and three above France – as they prepare for matches away to Italy this Saturday and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland the following week.

Townsend has seen his team defeat Wales and England while going agonisingly close to defeating the French, but he still feels they are yet to hit top gear for any sustained period.

[9 March 2024 09:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Italy v Scotland LIVE: Latest build-up and updates from Six Nations

A very good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of another huge day of Six Nations action. We’ve reached the business end of this edition of rugby’s most storied championship with just two rounds to come, six fixtures to decide the destination of a most coveted crown.

Round four begins in Rome, where Scotland know they need a victory to keep their slim title hopes alive. Gregor Townsend’s side continued their Calcutta Cup supremacy against England last time out and will expect another strong performance - though Italy are unlikely to shirk the challenge in front of them.

It was cruel ending for Gonzalo Quesada and his team in Lille as Paolo Garbisi’s kick thumped against the upright to deny the Azzurri a famous victory, but a draw still represented a positive result for a group finding their way under their new coach. Can they build on that performance and shock Scotland? Kick-off is at 2.15pm GMT.