🇮🇹 🏴 #ITAvSCO #Italy v #Scotland #6nations #rugby Match Thread
I'll be live tooting the match but logistics will kick in as I relocate to Manhattan for #WALvFRA - so bear with me 😃
Both teams looking for their first win of the tournament so expect Italy to come out guns blazing.
Italy have made no changes, new head coach certain he has the right players on the pitch.
Scotland have had 7-point margins on their two losses, so bonus point consolation, but a win is needed today.
🏉Free kick awarded to Italy and they choose to scrum down, confident, but end up giving a penalty away to Scotland. Three scrums in six minutes, which is a novel change, as most scrums take about half an hour lately.
Scotland pile on the pressure and test the Italian defence a metre or two out from the line, which bears up surprisingly well, ending with a knock on from Scotland, unforced error and Italy looking composed for now.
The home crowd is in fine voice today, and they stand and cheer as Bellini makes a stunning break, dummies, confuddles Hastings, brings the Azzuri inside the Scottish 22.
Italy seem to be trying some shenanigans to disrupt the set pieces. Line out numbers are messing with Watson's head and he's grumbling to the ref, scrums are all kinds of messy, this might be a strategy of sorts.
#ITAvSCO 24m
ITA 0-5 SCO
Polledri muffs an offload and Hogg capitalises and thunders downfield, effortlessly side stepping a few defenders for a whopping try.
Ben O’Keeffe has had enough of the lineout nonsense and speaks to both captains. No more numbers munching, no more walk-ins, or free kicks and penalties.
Italy win a kickable penalty and Allan strikes the ball beautifully but rebounds off the left upright. Would have been nice to have some points in the board for half-time...
#ITAvSCO 47m
ITA 0 - 10 SCO
Scotland finally overcome the Italian defense and grind a try but Hastings misses the 2.
Last quarter of #ITAvSCO and Italy are tackling everything they can get their hands on. Scotland looking very much in charge though. Hopefully Minozzi or Bellini have something left to offer.
#ITAvSCO 78m
ITA 0-17 SCO
21 turnovers later, Hasting is unopposed down the blindside.
#ITAvSCO Full-time
ITA 0-17 SCO
Another scoreless day for the Azzurri, they had plenty to offer but could not make it work when it mattered. Scotland have regained some face, now for #WALvFRA
re: #ITAvSCO 78m
I'd hate to see another scoreless day for Italy. They've played a lot of good ball today, clearly not in any danger of winning but come ON, scoreless matches do not help win fans to the game.