Italy 22-33 Scotland LIVE RESULT: Stream free, TV channel – the Scots complete the Italian job in Rome – reaction
SCOTLAND hold out for a 33-22 victory over whipping boys Italy to leapfrog Wales in the table.
Azzurri were on course to suffering another humiliating defeat when Graham Darcy grabbed Scotland's fourth try of the match.
But Italy clawed themselves back into the game to make the score-line look a little more respectable.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Stay up to date with all the latest from Rome in our live blog below...
Italy 3-0 Scotland
15. Scrappy game so far.
Neither side able to build multiple phases of play.
Italy kick deep into the Scotland twnty-two.
Italy 3-0 Scotland
13. Both sides are getting into decent positions and then gifting the ball back to their opponent with needless penalties.
It is stopping either of them building anything of note.
Scotland kick for touch.
Italy 3-0 Scotland
11. Not much try line action so far.
The majority of the game has been played in the middle of the park.
Townsend must be tearing his hair out seeing his side give away yet another penalty.
Italy kick to touch.
Italy 3-0 Scotland
9. Knock-on by Scotland awards Italy a penalty.
Italy have the put-in at the scrum.
First chance to see if they can drive deep into Scottish territory.
Bruno concedes a penalty for rolling the player.
Italy 3-0 Scotland
7. Both teams are probing and testing their opponents in these early stages, seeing if there are any chinks in the armour.
Scotland push forward deep into the Italy half but the Scots yet again give away a penalty for offside.
They are making their own lives so much more difficult with their indiscipline.
Italy 3-0 Scotland
5. The sun may cause some issues for the players today when high kicks are utilised.
Allowing Italy to take an early lead with not help dampen their confidence in getting a result today against Townsend's side.
Penalty - Garbisi (Italy)
Italy 0-0 Scotland
4. The poor discipline of Scotland costs them again.
With mere minutes on the clock they give their hosts the chance to put the first points on the board.
Silly offside.
Italy 0-0 Scotland
2. Already Italy are looking to kick the ball a lot.
Hogg is as composed as ever as he finds the halfway line with his return.
Chance for Italy to get a feel for the ball.
Italy 0-0 Scotland
1. A beautiful spring day in Rome for Ali Price's 50th Scotland cap.
The visitors have possession looking to break through the Italian defence.
Kick-off: Italy vs Scotland
With the strange competition rule that the away side gets to wear their home colours, Italy don their white kit with Gregor Townsend's team in their familiar blue.
Italy get the game started.
National anthems
First we have the bagpipe rendition of 'Oh Flower of Scotland' followed by the Italian national anthem.
It is an impressing thing the Scottish national anthem, quite the entertainment for the home fans.
We are ready to go here.......
Go the distance
The one criticism of Italy's game has been their fitness to sustain their game for the entire 80 minutes.
So far in the tournament, we have not seen a good performance by the Italians in the second-half of any of their games.
You will not win many games in the Guinness Six Nations when you play only in phases, hitting the wall so often with so much game left to play.
Global message of unity
Wherever you go, whatever sport you are watching, the message is the same as people show their support for Ukraine.
The sun beats down here in Rome as we edge closer to kick-off.
Foundations to build on
Scotland have won 42 of their 43 lineouts in this year’s Guinness Six Nations, their 98% success rate is the best of any side in the championship.
They have slotted 91% of their kicks at goal in the Guinness Six Nations this year (10/11), including 7/7 penalty goal attempts, the best rate of any team.
Scotland’s Rory Darge has had an effective impact at four of the 11 defensive rucks he has hit in the Guinness Six Nations this year, his 36% defensive ruck effectiveness rate is the best of any player.
Learning from mistakes
Scotland have relayed how they have analysed the France game:
As much as France were very good in terms of putting pressure on, we probably weren’t as good in terms of our territorial game and putting pressure on. That’s something the boys have discussed.
Pieter de VilliersOh please flower Scotland
With the exception of Rory Darge and Kyle Steyn, this is the same Scotland starting line-up that defeated Australia last November.
Finn Russell will have a big part to play in the game, pulling the strings and getting Townsend's team moving tactically.
It is important they press and look to move Italy back to their own line from the off.
Showing more Roman spirit
As fans are entertained outside of the ground, Italian fans will be hoping their rugby team can find some of the spirit of their Roman Empire.
Tenacity, fight and passion may just be enough to end their drought.
Seven years without a Six Nations win.
Wooden spoon decider
Scotland have won their last four away games against Italy in the Six Nations.
Townsend's team have the worst discipline record in this year's tournament, conceding 38 penalties in three games.
Michele Lamaro's 59 tackles are the most after three rounds of the Guinness Six Nations.
Knowing what is expected
The Scotland coach is not under any illusions of what is expected of his team and himself:
The players are all set on working to deliver their best performance. We feel if we get our performance right, we're a match for any team.
Gregor TownsendDisappointing campaign so far
After Autumn international wins against Japan, Tonga and Australia, Gregor Townsend's team were hoping for big things in this season's Guinness Six Nations.
Those feelings grew after an opening victory against England at Murrayfield.
Fans will want two good performances to finish the campaign,
Huge feelings for both teams
Marcello Cuttitta, twin brother of the Italy and Scotland legend said:
Massimo loved Scotland. He loved the Scottish people. There’s always a story behind sporting trophies and to think that in 100 years time people will hear the story of Massimo when they see this trophy is incredible. The cup is fantastic. Thank you with all our hearts.
Marcello CuttittaFirst ever Cuttitta Cup
Today the teams will be playing for the Cuttitta Cup, a new trophy celebrating the contribution of Massimo Cuttitta to rugby.
The former Italy captain and Scotland scrum coach died of Covid 11 months ago at the age of 54.
An Edinburgh jewellers has crafted the trophy.
The challenge ahead
Leading up to the game against Scotland, the Italy coach lays out his thoughts on what is expected of his side:
We are taking on a team who have shown their worth in previous outings of the tournament. We have the opportunity to play in front of our fans, we want to turn the page and react on the pitch with a big performance.
Kieran CrowleyQuestions will be asked
Italy are hoping to end their record run of 35 Six Nations defeats.
The same discussions are being had as to whether Italy should be in the Guinness Six Nations due to the gulf between them and the other five teams participating.
Results are required, talk of new starts every game is falling on deaf ears, Italy need to show they can earn their place at the table.
