Openside John Hardie extended the advantage after a half break from Russell. With such effective running lines, smooth passing and brilliant trail-running, Scotland looked in a mood to close the game out nice and early.
However, Italy in Rome are always a difficult beast to roll over. The Azzuri bounced back to trail just 10 – 17 at half-time. Leonardo Ghiraldini crashing in the game’s third try after a barnstorming run (partly through Greig Laidlaw) by centre Gonzalo Garcia.
The second half never quite caught fire the way the opening period did. Laidlaw drove over three penalties to one from Kelly Haimona before the visitors were put on the back foot by back to back sin-bins for Russell and Willem Nel.
Marco Fuser forced his way in for a try minutes after Russell’s time-out to make Italy’s deficit 20 – 26, but they could not build beyond that base. Laidlaw edged his side further ahead as Italian frustration grew. It was left to Scotland to close the game out, and they did so in serious style, Hogg delivering a timely offload to Tommy Seymour who gratefully raced in from the right corner to touch down and kill off an excellent contest.
Scotland show attacking cutting edge to burn off Italian threat
Updated at 17.37
Italy 20
Scotland 36
SCOTLAND SHOWED AN excellent balance of attacking verve and dogged defence to hold on for victory in a pulsating battle with Italy in Rome.
Vern Cotter’s men scorched their way into a 3 – 14 lead inside 16 minutes thanks to the attacking invention of Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell.
John Barclay put the first maximum score on the board, latching on to Hogg’s offload after the fullback danced into the Italy 22.
Openside John Hardie extended the advantage after a half break from Russell. With such effective running lines, smooth passing and brilliant trail-running, Scotland looked in a mood to close the game out nice and early.
However, Italy in Rome are always a difficult beast to roll over. The Azzuri bounced back to trail just 10 – 17 at half-time. Leonardo Ghiraldini crashing in the game’s third try after a barnstorming run (partly through Greig Laidlaw) by centre Gonzalo Garcia.
The second half never quite caught fire the way the opening period did. Laidlaw drove over three penalties to one from Kelly Haimona before the visitors were put on the back foot by back to back sin-bins for Russell and Willem Nel.
Marco Fuser forced his way in for a try minutes after Russell’s time-out to make Italy’s deficit 20 – 26, but they could not build beyond that base. Laidlaw edged his side further ahead as Italian frustration grew. It was left to Scotland to close the game out, and they did so in serious style, Hogg delivering a timely offload to Tommy Seymour who gratefully raced in from the right corner to touch down and kill off an excellent contest.
Scorers
Italy
Tries: L Ghiraldini, M Fuser
Conv: K Haimona (2)
Penalties: K Haimona (2)
Scotland
Tries: J Barclay, J Hardie, T Seymour
Conv: G Laidlaw (3)
Penalties: G Laidlaw (5)
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6 Nations Bella Six Nations Italy John Hardie Scotland Stuart Hogg vern cotter