MY ACCOUNT
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said he was “delighted” with his team’s hard-fought Six Nations win against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Chris Harris scored a first-half double as Scotland beat the Azzurri 33-22 in an entertaining encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, recovering from back-to-back defeats at the hands of Wales and France.
The victory not only secured the Cuttitta Trophy but also moved Scotland above Wales into fourth place as the visitors ran in five tries in Italy.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland after the game, Townsend said he was happy with the win, but also reserved praise for Kieran Crowley’s team, who scored 22 points for the first time since also doing so against France in 2020’s tournament.
“We’re delighted with the win, it’s been a tough venue for Scottish teams for a number of years,” said Townsend.
“I felt we built the victory in the first half and the players played really well up to around the 50-minute mark. After that, we weren’t as good. I have to say that’s the best I’ve seen Italy play over the last couple of seasons.
“Maybe we expected them to crack but you have to be accurate and keep the intensity up against all opposition if you want a complete performance. That’s a frustration but all credit to Italy, they were the better team in the last quarter of the game.
“It’s hard when Italy come at you. I’ve been there as a player and a coach when we’ve allowed Italy to get into the game. We didn’t do that today. We managed the game really well and executed at times. We just need to do that for 80 minutes.”
Scotland have now won each of their past seven matches against Italy in the Six Nations, with six of those seven victories coming by 10 or more points.
Sam Johnson scored the opening try for Scotland before Harris crossed twice, with Darcy Graham and Stuart Hogg getting one each after the break.
Callum Braley grabbed his first international try for Italy in the first half, and Ange Capuozzo also scored a double on debut.
Italy’s Michele Lamaro bemoaned costly errors from his team, saying after the loss: “It’s tough, we have to learn from this.
“Today, Scotland knew how to put pressure on at the breakdown. In that area, they have got players who are very capable and we really struggled all game. Against Wales, it will probably be a similar situation. We will have to work hard on it this week.”
Italy have lost their past 36 games in the Six Nations, the longest losing run by any nation in the competition’s This was their narrowest loss in the Six Nations since losing by 11 against France in 2019.
Scotland beat 40 defenders in the win, just the sixth time any side has beaten 40 or more in a Six Nations game and just the second time any nation has managed it away from home, after France who beat 55 in Italy in 2017.
