Italy overcome Scotland and wretched conditions as pressure builds on Gregor Townsend

Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Italy and Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images) - (AFP via Getty Images)

Pressure mounted on Gregor Townsend as Scotland suffered a disastrous Six Nations start by losing 18-15 to Italy in rain-lashed Rome.

The fired-up Azzurri raced into a 12-point lead within 14 minutes and the Scots - with back-three big-hitters Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe all dropped amid question marks over their form – were unable to get their attack firing in response, while their set-piece continually malfunctioned.