Scotland score five tries in Six Nations win over Italy at Stadio Olimpico, with Sam Johnson, Chris Harris (two), Darcy Graham, Stuart Hogg each crossing for scores; Finn Russell adds four conversions; Italy score tries through Callum Braley and Ange Capuozzo (two)
By Michael Cantillon
Last Updated: 12/03/22 4:30pm
Scotland secured their first Six Nations victory since the opening weekend as they cruised to a 33-22 success over winless Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Gregor Townsend’s charges scored tries through inside centre Sam Johnson, outside centre Chris Harris (two), wing Darcy Graham, and full-back Stuart Hogg, while fly-half Finn Russell added four conversions.
Italy registered points through Callum Braley and Ange Capuozzo (two) tries – the latter on his Test debut – as well as a Paolo Garbisi penalty and two conversions, but having remained in the fight in the first half, they fell away in the second.
Italy – Tries: Braley (29), Capuozzo (66, 80). Cons: Garbisi (30, 67). Pens: Garbisi (4).
Scotland – Tries: Johnson (17), Harris (21, 36), Graham (47), Hogg (60). Cons: Russell (22, 37, 48, 61).
Italy made a positive start to the contest, with Garbisi striking over for a 3-0 lead in the fifth minute, and the Azzurri’s back row competed hard at the breakdown to force early defensive penalties.
For all Italy’s positive beginnings, though, Scotland struck for a try out of nothing in the 18th minute as Johnson dived for the corner after hooker George Turner had made a barnstorming break up the right wing to create the chance.
Scotland made five changes to the team that were defeated vs France, as Sam Johnson returned at centre, Matt Fagerson at No 8, Hamish Watson at openside, George Turner started at hooker and Kyle Steyn started in the Six Nations for the first time. Scrum-half Ali Price started on his 50th Test cap.
For Italy, hooker Giacomo Nicotera came in for his Italy debut with Gianmarco Lucchesi injured and Hame Faiva suspended, while former skipper Luca Bigi was been named on the bench. Callum Braley replaced Stephen Varney at scrum-half.
Russell missed the difficult conversion, but with Italy on the attack in response moments later, Scotland scrum-half Ali Price picked off a pass and sprinted up to halfway before wing Kyle Steyn took up the running and chipped perfectly inside for Harris to claim the bouncing ball and score.
Garbisi missed the chance to narrow the Scotland lead on 26 minutes, striking wide with a penalty on the angle, but Braley had the home side’s opening try on the half hour, collecting an offload from wing Pierre Bruno, who did fabulously to get rid of the ball before being dumped into touch.
With three minutes left of the opening period, Scotland pulled away again with their third try as Harris crashed through for his second off a scrum deep in the Italy 22.
Russell converted for a nine-point lead at the break, and eight minutes into the second half the bonus point was wrapped up as Graham skipped from Russell’s inside pass after Hogg had twice done well in the build-up.
Past the hour mark, it was Hogg’s turn to get in on the scoring act. Price was again central to a quick break, and Hogg cantered over after collecting the scrum-half’s long pass.
Italy hit back through 22-year-old replacement Capuozzo, who showed great feet to step past Hogg and score on his Test debut.
Capuozzo, a talented French-born back playing his club rugby with Grenoble, then notched his second in the final play with another smart finish, but Garbisi missed the conversion which would have brought Italy a losing bonus point.
Stats of the match
2 – Chris Harris has scored two tries against Italy today, as many as he’d scored in his previous 23 Test starts; overall he has five tries in Test rugby with four coming against Italy. Favoured.
2 – Italy have won just twice after trailing by 9+ points in a Test match (155 instances) – against Scotland in 1998 and Argentina in 2008. Uphill.
91% – @Scotlandteam have slotted 91% of their kicks at goal in the #GuinnessSixNations this year (10/11), the best rate of any team and five percentage points higher than their expected goal-kicking success rate of 86%. Accurate. pic.twitter.com/8BSGy4UXbr
What’s next?
Italy conclude their 2022 Six Nations championship with a visit to face Wales in Cardiff next Saturday, March 19 (2.15pm kick-off GMT).
Scotland round off their campaign with a trip to face Ireland in Dublin also next Saturday (4.45pm kick-off GMT). Andy Farrell’s hosts may still be contesting for the title depending on how they fare vs England at Twickenham in Round 4.