Italy march back to Rome with all five points against Scotland

Italy finished their U20 Six Nations campaign on a high after scoring six tries against Scotland at Scotstoun stadium to triumph 40-17.

The Italians came from behind to win after being down at the break. Tries came from Giovanni Quattrini, Jacopo Botturi, Sebastiano Battara, a brace for Marcos Francesco Gallorini and the final score from Nicholas Gasperini. Scotland’s two tries came from Dan King and Will Robinson.

With Scotland trying to rebuild after a brutal loss against Ireland the best way to re-establish confidence is to start scoring tries.

It was first blood to Kenny Murray’s Scotland who came out of the blocks with a chip on their shoulder but importantly a real sense of conviction. After missing last week’s match, Richie Simpson returned with a much-needed spark to the back, exploiting gaps in the Italian defence of the scrum.

Panic set in on Simone Brisighella, who carelessly tossed a loose ball into the path of King and the full-back did not need to break stride as he galloped under the posts for the opening score.

Much like the Azurri at Murrayfield yesterday, Italy responded with ferocity. Their forwards have been merciless throughout the tournament and Scotland have the worst record when it comes to defending mauls across the six teams.

Italy’s front row have scored seven tries in their first four games and the eighth came off the line-out just metres out from Scotland’s whitewash.

Quattrini was untouched as he guided his forwards through Scotland’s pack and brought the visitors back to within two points as the conversion sailed wide. The Italians’ 35% success rate from the tee continued to hurt them.

Frantic play from both sides culminated with the Scots winning a penalty over 40 metres from the posts. Simpson lined up 42 metres out from the posts, and his rocket of a leg sent the ball through the posts.

With four minutes to go until the first half reached its climax, Scotland’s clinical inability crept back into play. First, Ben Afshar’s penalty sailed wide, albeit from 40 metres out. This was followed up by a golden opportunity after a break down the wing from Geordie Gwynn  but the Italians turned the ball over in their 22.

Then just a minute out from the break, the Scots committed their fifth handling error of the half, snuffing out any chance of more points.

The first half ended as it has done so frequently for Italy as this was the fifth game in a row that the visitors had been down after 40 minutes.

Italy wasted no time in galloping out of the blocks after the restart. After bulldozing the young Scots in the scrum, Botturi picked and went from the ruck, six metres out from the try line and dragged four of the defenders over with him to score. With the wind in their sails, the conversion sailed over.

Just three minutes later, the Azzurini worked their way into the Scottish 22 and after Kerr Johnston grounded the ball over the try line, the might of the Italian scrum roared into life once more.

The Scottish forwards splintered and with Battara barked the marching orders,  the maul rolled over with the scrum half getting the third try.

The bonus point was secured after 55 minutes. Scotland’s defence was once again pinned back, desperately trying to prevent the Azzurini rumbling over but a leaking dam can only hold back the flood for so long. Gallorini overpowered Scotland’s line to score and the afternoon continued to go downhill for the hosts.

The prop has now scored in four of the five championship games.

As the game entered the final quarter, Scotland continued to play most of the match inside their 22 and were forced back further as David Odiase brought the visitors to within a few blades of grass of another score.

After showing his rampaging prowess earlier, all 135 kilograms of Gallorini leapt like highland salmon over the ruck to score Italy’s fifth try and his second of the afternoon.

With the ensuing conversion, Italy had a daunting 23-point lead.

The Azzurini would see out the last 10 minutes with 14 men after Filippo Lavorenti’s high tackle made contact with Afshar’s head, the replacement forward was shown a yellow card.

Three minutes later the Italians were hampered further. Lorenzo Elettri joined his teammate in the bin after playing the ball on the ground.

Down two players, Scotland capitalised on the overlap and shipped the ball out wide to the open hands of Robinson, getting their second try of the afternoon. Simpson nailed the conversion and there was hope in the Scotstoun stands once more.

The Italians would not be stopped despite being outnumbered on the field. As the clock went red and with Lavorenti back on the field, their forwards would have the last laugh. Gasperini would burrow his way over the try line after Scotland conceded multiple penalties to vanquish any chance of a bonus point loss.