Report
Updated
That’s it from me. What a finish to what was a scrappy but entertaining game. Scotland take five points after Blair Kinghorn, so often branded a stand-in, bagged a hat-trick with Duhan van der Merwe scoring a wonder try of his own. Italy gave a good account of themselves and might have nicked it had they been more accurate when it counted. The scoreline doesn’t reflect how close they came but is a fair reflection of Scotland’s ascendency for most of the contest.
Hope you enjoyed it. Look out for the report from the wires to come. Catch you again soon.
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Here’s the Italian captain, Michele Lamaro:
It’s the best tournament in the world. I think it’s not something to be ashamed of [finishing last]. We showed our rugby, we showed our identity. But we have to improve to start winning at this level.
Correction from the last post. That was from last year. Apologies. All that excitement. I’m told Duhan is has broken his own record this season.
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Now Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie:
When you win a Test match it’s always a good feeling. Itlay deserved more from this tournament. I’m delighted we won this game.
I credit Italy. It was hard to get the ball off them.
We had penalty advantage and we’re a team that loves to play. And within the wider context of the tournament we [went for that bonkers try].
Before the tournament I said a good one would be five good performances. We had four and a half. Happy with the third place finish, hopefully, behind the top two teams in the world.
Italy were right there. But Scotland would have the final say with this stunner:
ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL FINISH IN EDINBURGH! #SCOvITA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/mqX36oHRCU
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 18, 2023
Here’s player of the match, Jack Dempsey:
It was a bit scary towards the end. Credit to the front row to get us out of trouble. It was knee shaking stuff at the end. Credit to the tight five.
Italy are a grindy team, a niggly team, credit to them.
We attacked this tournament with eyes on everything. But the French team and the Irish team are a bit too classy. It’s amazing to come this hemisphere and see the quality of rugby in Europe.
Full-Time: Scotland 26-14
Right at the death, under a golden blanket of Edinburgh sunshine, Scotland secure third place in this year’s Six Nations with Kinghorn claiming a hat-trick after a move that went the length of the field. Scotland weren’t great but they were good enough when it counted. Italy were mostly poor and, despite some flashes of brilliance, will know that greater accuracy and better execution they could have won this. They’re close, but today’s game shows that they’re still a work in progress. As for Scotland, they’re moving in the right direction. Big players, most notably the player of the match, Jack Dempsey, stood up. The BBC panel are lamenting the lack of ruthlessness from Italy. What a shame. I thought they were in but wasn’t to be.
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TRY! Scotland 26-14 (Kinghorn, 80)
UNREAL!!! Oh wow! Blair Kinghorn has just bagged a hat-trick in the most spectacular fashion. Ali Price gets the ball from a solid Scottish scrum under their own poles. They have a penalty advantage but rather than kick the ball out and bring the game to a close they choose to run it. It’s passed to Van der Merwe who accelerates into space and the field opens up. His inside ball is perfect and Kinghorn runs through to score his third try. He has the final say with the conversion.
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79 min: Tap and go. Manfredi carries. So does Lamaro. One metre out. Scotland have the scrum! They might also have the game. It’s a call from the assistant ref. It’s a knock on. Perhaps it went straight down but I don’t think so, despite Lamaro’s lamentations. Inaccuracy from Italy but brave Scottish defence. That should be that. All on this scrum.
78 min: Two huge carries brings it close. Garbisi dives and tries to force the ball around a tackler. He’s airborne but can’t get it down and knocks it on after a tackle from Steyn. Another Scotland player is offside so Italy have a penalty. Again. Can they do it?!
77 min: The line-out is good but the maul goes down. Italy still have it. They’re right under the posts. Ritchie reaches but can’t get it. Van der Merwe pounces on a loose ball but Dempsey is off side even though Scotland seemed to win it back. What a moment. Italy have another chance. They’ll tap and go from five out.
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76 min: Brex then the younger Garbisi work the space on the right wing where Bruno breaks upfield. The ball goes back down the line after they manage to win it from a Hail Mary pass. Garbisi is pushed off the ball so Italy have a penalty and the flyhalf kicks to the corner. Momentum all with Italy. They have a line-out five out.
75 min: Italy have the scrum deep in their own half. They need to get up the other side and score a try to win it.
74 min: Italy’s line-out is stolen. It’s a horrible throw and now Scotland have the ball back just outside the Italian 22. Italy regroup though and a rush defence forces a knock on from Matt Fagerson.
73 min: The Garbisi brothers combine before Brex charges in the midfield Scotland grab it away from him in the collision. Scotland kick. So too does Italy. Scotland have it on the left wing. Cummings carries it in. Van der Merwe goes looking for work. Price slowing it down in the middle of the park. He then spots space behind the Italian line and kicks into it. The ball bounces out for an Italian throw.
70 min: Nel on for Fagerson in the Scotland front row. Zanon on for Morisi for Italy in the midfield.
69 min: Price snatches an intercept as Italy steal a turnover within striking distance. The Scottish 9 runs 50 metres up field. He’s motoring ahead. Italy are scrambling. He’s brought down but the ball is recycled at pace and Scotland have a chance. Healy shifting it on. It goes right and then left. Italy work hard to get back in their shape before Ruzza makes a tremendous steal on the ground to win a penalty.
68 min: A kicking contest ends with Scotland putting it out inside Italy’s half. Neither side is showing that same willingness to run from deep, perhaps a sign that this is getting tense. Redpath is on in midfield in place of Tuipulotu and Healy slots in at flyhalf as Smith takes his leave. Kinghorn will shift to fullback.
Penalty! Scotland 19-14 Italy (Garbisi, 66)
Garbisi slots this from his left boot just to the right of the posts around 30 metres back. Game on now.
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65 min: Strong defence from Italy puts Scotland under pressure. The men in pink are loose and that allows Italy to swarm over the bobbling ball. Tuipulotu gets there first but he’s penalised for holding on. Italy will go for posts here. This would take them within a try of nicking it.
That was magnificent from Garbisi. Just a lovely deft touch off the toe.
TRY! Scotland 19-11 Italy (Allan, 63)
A try from nothing. Ali Price’s clearing box kick didn’t find touch and Brex counters. His offload to Gesi maintains momentum. Garbisi takes the ball flat at the line and puts through a grubber on the left win and Allan is sharp enough to gather it on the bounce and dot down. He misses the conversion so Italy are still beyond a converted try away, but the comeback is on.
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61 min: The Italian line-out is secure this time. The ball worms its way infield. But they can’t stitch together a cohesive move and Dempsey has the ball in his hands.
60 min: Allan counters after fielding a kick and hands to to Gesi. He does well to keep the ball in field on the right wing. Some kicking tennis keeps the ball in play. Both teams look knackered. Gray strays offside so Garbisi tries a cute pop kick to Gesi again, but it’s out on the full. And breathe…. Penalty for the offside. Garbisi hoofs it into touch.
Price replaces White. Cummings for Gray. Sutherland for Schoeman.
57 min: A poor throw means the line-out is spilled and Italy have it back. Brex and then Allan carry without much success. They’re 10 metres into Scotland’s half. Morisi charges. Eight phases before Paolo Garbisi puts in a nothing kick and Steyn fields under no pressure.
56 min: Another penalty at the scrum against Italy. Fischetti turning in and then collapsing under pressure. Scotland hoof it up field.
54 min: Italy overthrow in the line out. Kieran Crowley must be tearing his hair out. White’s clearing kick is good. Italy play it quick and Allan’s cross kick finds Morisi. There’s a forward pass after contact. Scotland scrum. It’s all becoming a little ragged.
53 min: Ruzza brings it down and the maul motors forward. Scotland give away a penalty after a side entry. Matt Fagerson to blame for that one. That’s three quick penalties in a row that has taken Italy from their own 22 right to Scotland’s try line. They go to the corner.
52 min: Ashman is off side so Italy have another penalty and kick to the corner. They’re within striking distance. A chance to maul.
51 min: Italy go over the top in that line-out. Brave right in their 22. They also get a penalty for a high tackle and clear beyond the halfway line. Fagerson the guilty man there.
50 min: Good hands down the line, and a clever pass from Kinghorn, opens space for Steyn who makes 10 metres. Tuipulotu kicks a smart grubber through for Van der Merwe to chase. He can’t reach it but that puts Italy on the back foot.
Loads of changes. The younger Garbisi is on at 9. Matt Fagerson joins the scene for Scotland in place of Watson. Ashman on for Turner at hooker.
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49 min: Italy make a mess of a line-out but have it back as Sctoland fumble. It almost works but the pass down the blindside bisects two runners and it dribbles out for a Scottish throw. Sloppy again from Italy.
47 min: Italy have a break but the pass left can’t find the hands of Gesi. He was free as well. More inaccuracy costing Italy.
46 min: Italy make a couple of changes. Negri and Iachizzi off. Niccolo Cannono comes on to join his brother. So too does Zuliani.
TRY! Scotland 19-6 Italy (Kinghorn, 44)
A second for Blair Kinghorn. Scotland are twice dragged back from over the line as the Italian defence holds firm. That is, until they spin the ball right and Kinghorn spots a gap and manages to brush off Negri, no easy accomplishment, and he smashes through the tackle and dots down. That looked an easy finish but it was anything but. Very impressive strength there from the fly-half. He converts as well.
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43 min: The line-out is off the top and Tuipulotu runs hard to the line. Gray gets close. Italy are impenetrable on their own line. Dempsey scrambles but can’t get to the line. Still Scotland a metre out.
Nigel Owens on the BBC comms reckons Italy had a case there.
41 min: Bruno runs through a hole down the right wing but Scotland have it back soon enough. Kinghorn gives it to Tuipulotu who gives it to Ritchie. Zander Fagerson takes it in. Smith to Steyn who wriggles back off his wing. Nice interplay from Scotland but Italy seem to win it on the floor. Nope, Italy are off their feet so its a Scotland penalty. Lamaro argues but Gardner ain’t hearing it. Kinghorn kicks to the corner.
OK then. Next 40 to come.
Here’s Stuart Hogg again:
We back ourselves to score points. We can sit on the side and tell them to take three points, but Jamie and the leaders out there kept plugging away. There have been some good things and not so good things. Credit to the Italians. They’re a gritty bunch. We can count ourselves lucky not to concede [a try] to be honest.
Get a load of this madness from Duhan!
Another for the Duhi highlight reel ⚡️#AsOne pic.twitter.com/rLbxxCHv3r
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 18, 2023
Half-Time: Scotland 12-6 Italy
Scotland almost score a remarkable try four minutes after the half time hooter. It’s a line-out off the top and Kinghorn ignites a back line move that has Van der Merwe joining off his wing. Smith on the wraparound finds Steyn who bursts through a half gap on the right flank and throws a pass back inside but it doesn’t find a Scottish hand five metres from the Italian line. Italy gather and clear to bring the half to a close.
Scotland are only six points ahead but they really should be miles infront. Italy have been careless in possession in their own half but haven’t been punished. They could have scored a try themselves.
40+3 min: Scotland win the penalty. Fagerson who stole it on the ground. Remarkably, Scotland choose to play it and go to the line-out.
40+2 min: Italy win the penalty and play some pretty rugby before Cannone busts through the middle. Garbisi is in fluent form as he strings together a backline move. They’re up to the 22. Brex involved. Scotland holding firm. Schoeman almost nabs it on the floor but is pushed back. Still Italy play it.
40 min: Steyn make about five metres as he carries a tackler with him. Kinghorn plays a great short pass for Smith. Kinghorn then plays a poor pass to no one and the scrambling Ritchie knocks on and then gives away a penalty. Italy with the chance to clear into Scotland territory. They’re back to 15 men and will have the line-out
38 min: The scrum goes down but Gardner says play on. Kinghon hoofs a deep kick. Garbisi sends it back and Scotland have a penalty advantage on the half way line. Van der Merwe carries with great strength. Gray in midfield secures the ball. Jones on the left win gets far enough so the advantage is over. Steyn wriggles but can’t work the space. Scotland still have it.
36 min: Brex straightens and keeps the ball moving for Lamor. 13 phases and they’re on the five metre line. But there’s an accidental off side as Ruzza cops a pop pass to the face. Iachizzi who played the ball is therefore offside as he regathers. Scrum for Scotland with their heels on their own line.
35 min: The Italian line-out goes to the middle and is sent straight down as Scotland contest. Fischetti charges. So does Brex. Italy on the front foot in Scotland’s 22 and playing it narrow and direct.
34 min: Zander Fagerson is penalised in the scrum so Italy this time get the penalty. We’ve yet to have a completed scrum. Garbisi drills a kick deep into Scottish territory.
33 min: After a bit of kick tennis Scotland have it and Dempsey steps to create momentum down the left. Van der Merwe gets the ball and the crowd raise their voice. He’s nailed by Negri and the attempt to off-load in the tackle ends with a knock-on
TRY! Scotland 12-6 Italy (Kinghorn, 30)
Scotland finally have their try after what felt like 20 minutes in Italy’s red zone. White runs laterally at the base of the set piece and gives it to Kinghorn. Tuipulotu runs a great dummy run which allows Kinghorn to step off his left foot and cut back against the grain. He barges over to score. He then steps up and slots the conversion.
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Yellow! Italy (Riccioni 29)
The scrum goes down again and Riccioni is shown a yellow. Gardner makes good on his word but I think he’s sent off the wrong man as the scrum collapsed on the other side. Either way, the Scottish pack is well on top. The winger Gesi, on debut, is the sacrificial lamb as Italy send on another prop.
28 min: Another penalty against the Italian scrum. It’s for collapsing and not controlling their weight. Angus Gardner gives them a telling to. “Either hold your weight up or guys will be sitting down.” Scotland with options either side.
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27 min: This time a scrum penalty for Scotland. To be honest, I have no idea why. Scotland choose to pack down again, so, as we were.
25 min: Italy take a an age to put the ball in so Scotland have a free kick. What was going on? Tuipulotu at first receiver smashes at the line. Ritchie tries to find a gap in the line but can’t. Schoeman makes a yard. White goes right to Gray. The counter ruck is good and Italy almost snatch it back but there’s a knock on so Scotland will have the scrum right beneath the Italian poles. They MUST leave here with seven points. Italy though holding strong.
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24 min: Scotland make a mess of that line-out. Ricthie lifted but the ball doesn’t come and Italy don’t hoist anyone. As Ricthie comes down Italy nail the Scottish pack and the ball is fumbled. First scrum of the match with Italy feeding five metres from their own line.
23 min: Scratch that. It’s a Scotland penalty after the TMO has overruled the initial call as an Italian committed a no-arms tackle which led to the Scottish knock on. So Scotland have the ball again on the Italian try line. Iachizzi goes off for a HIA for Cannone. Scotland go to the corner again.
22 min: Scotland win the line-out but the maul doesn’t make yards. The ball moves infield. Schoeman gives it to Gray. White darts for the line but is short. They’re so close after eight phases. Italy holding. Scotland lose and Italy can clear. A Scot is off side and Italy will have a penalty on their own try line. Immense defence from the men in blue.
20 min: The Scottish maul takes it close and Turner darts for the line. He’s held back. Fagerson goes before it’s spread left. Kinghorn comes close as he attempts to squeeze between two tacklers in the corner but is shunted out. Solid defence from Italy. It’s Scotland’s ball though.
18 min: Scotland have a penalty after Italy stray off side after that kick. Five metres out. Scotland go for the corner. Oh, he’s shanked that. Should have been in the corner but it’s about eight metres out.
17 min: This time Italy kick deep and Kinghorn gathers. Smith charges towards the line, as does Schoeman from short distance. Scotland kick after three caries don’t go anywhere. White’s box kick is well held by Garbisi as Scotland chase well. Brex straightens. Italy have it inside their 22. Still they pass until Allan kicks right on his own line.
Penalty! Scotland 5-6 Italy (Allan, 16)
That’ll annoy Gregor Townsend. Having just taken the lead through a brilliant try, they cough it up as Allan slots his penalty from the right.
15 min: Italy have a penalty straight from the restart. Dempsey enters from the side (or was that sealing off?) Either way, Italy have options about 30 metres out on the right. They point to the posts.
TRY! Scotland 5-3 Italy (Van der Merwe, 13)
Sensational finish from the burly Scot. One of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s airborn and over the touchline as he dots down under firm pressure from Garbisi in the corner. How’s he done that?! One handed as well. Just brilliant. It’s from a quick tap and go from Scotland from a penalty advantage and he gathered a wild pass out wide. That needed some finishing.
Kinghorn misses the tough conversion.
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Has Duhan scored? He received the ball on the left touchline and dived into the corner. On field call is try. They’re going upstairs.
13 min: Gray through the middle and Scotland have the penalty advantage five out. Italy keep hammering the ball carriers and the ball is spilled so Scotland have the chance for three. They tap and go…
11 min: Ritchie wins it at the front. The maul forms but doesn’t go anywhere. White gets it to van der Merwe under pressure. Watson straightens. Schoeman throws a dummy that fools no one. Dempsey busts over the gainline. Kinghorn plays a great ball to Jones who shovels it on for van der Merwe cutting back in on the angle. Italy defending well though.
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10 min: Smith makes a wriggling run from fullback. Zander Fagerson makes a strong carry to get White on the front foot. Scotland win a penalty as White is played before the ball was out at the back. Scotland go to the corner.
That all started because Italy tried to run the ball, rather than kick, as they collected the restart. Now they have to defend a line-out eight metres out.
Penalty! Scotland 0-3 Italy (Allan, 8)
Scotland won’t mind leaving their own 22 only three points behind. Italy had a try to score after a solid maul from a line-out. Instead they settle for a penalty.
7 min: Lamaro brings the line-out down at the back. The maul rumbles forward. They’re five metres out before getting a penalty advantage. The maul continues. They’re close. The spread it left and Brex mops up a loose ball but can’t stick the final pass. So they come back for the penalty right in front. Looks like they’ll take the three points.
5 min: Another Italian penalty on the floor. Schoeman not rolling away. Garbisi and Allan chat and the flyhalf decides to kick to touch from the halfway line. It’s a good kick. They’ll have the line-out 10 metres out.
4 min: Allan misses that penalty from 38 metres out. It wasn’t straight in front but the angle should have worked with his right boot. That’s a bad miss.
3 min: Fusco kicks and Kinghorn gathers well and sends it deep. Italy secure the line-out in the middle and maul. They make some ground before spinning it in the back line and kick again. Ollie Smith catches and kicks. Italy kick as well. Van der Merwe decides to charge into the mass of bodies and the prop, Fischetti wins a penalty on the ground. Italy win that little kick battle and will have a shot at goal.
1 min: A strong carry immediately from Van der Merwe after Italy kick off. White hoofs a box kick high and now Italy build from their own half.
But the Scots know how to belt out a tune of their own. And there’s a bagpipe player on the roof! I know he’s always there but still worth a mention. Now the crowd goes acapella for the last bits of Flower of Scotland. Love it!
That Italian anthem. Every time. So good!
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Conditions look good. Both teams have pace to burn so hopefully that means a show.
Five minutes to go. The players are filing through the tunnel.
Stuart Hogg is pitch-side chatting about his ankle:
It’s not as bad as first feared. These things happen in rugby. I’m hoping it’s around four to six weeks. That’s what the doc tells me. Hopefully it’ll be a lot less.
It was incredible [playing his 100th Test for his country]. I absolutely loved it. To see my little man run out there with the match ball, that was absolute quality.
Time flies when you’re having fun and [his first game] was 11 years ago.
Ollie [Smith, his replacement] is a class act. He’s really challenged me to get the 15 jersey and it’s perked me up a bit. Hopefully he gets a lot of ball in hand and shows what he can do.
This doesn’t involve our game today, but it’s worth sharing.
The front page of today's edition of L'Équipe...
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 18, 2023
'Come on England!' pic.twitter.com/DCY9bg7Qxd
ITV is showing highlights from Italy’s win over Wales last year. I was there, reporting on the game, and it was just sensational. One of the most emotional finishes I’d ever seen. Don’t count on them doing something similar today.
Gregor Townsend is not taking Italy lightly:
We’re very weary. They were close to beating Ireland and France. They move the ball from everywhere and they’ve got nothing to lose
I’ve been banging on about the absence of Fin Russell but also worth noting that Stuart Hogg isn’t playing either.
“It would be a disaster”,” says former Scotland No. 8, John Barclay, on BBC. He’s talking about the the possibility of Scotland losing today and what that would mean for their competition as a whole.
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Here’s proof that Blair can ball.
Some Blair Kinghorn magic at BT Murrayfield 🪄#AsOne pic.twitter.com/QILqb0E71x
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 17, 2023
That is mauve, right?
All set up and ready to go 👕#AsOne pic.twitter.com/dOdhOvDba5
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 18, 2023
Scotland are on an 11 game winning streak against Italy, having last lost to the Azzuri back in 2015 when a late penalty try snatched it for the men in blue (Scotland were in red then, they’re in a sort of mauve today)
Before that the contest was pretty even with Scotland winning 12 and Italy claiming seven of the previous Tests.
Capuozzo absent as Italy chase first Murrayfield win in eight years
I’m sorry to break the news if you didn’t already know but everyone’s favourite player won’t be taking part today. Ange Capuozzo, that hot-stepping wizard suffered a shoulder injury before the Wales game but that doesn’t mean Italy can’t hurt Scotland today. Paolo Garbisi at 10 is a superstar and it’s a powerful back row.
Italy: Allan; Bruno, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Riccioni, Iachizzi, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone
Replacements: Manfredi, Zani, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Pettinelli, Zuliani, A Garbisi, Morisi.
🔵 #italrugby
— Italrugby (@Federugby) March 16, 2023
Il Commissario Tecnico Kieran #Crowley ha scelto il XV in campo per l'incontro con la 🏴@SixNationsRugby ➡️ https://t.co/l4LgKD20My
🏴🇮🇹 #SCOvITA
📍 Murrayfield Stadium, Edimburgo
🏉 Sabato 18/3 kick off 13.30 (ITA)
🎟 @TicketOneIT
📺 @SkySport @nowtvit ▪ @tv8 pic.twitter.com/EkFamjA9Qt
No Finn but a strong Scotland team named
Blair Kinghorn starts at 10. That’ll attract some attention. He’s no Bobby Dazzler but he’s got a turn of pace and deft hands.
Scotland: Smith; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Kinghorn, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Skinner, Gray, Ritchie (c), Watson, Dempsey
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, M Fagerson, Price, Healy, Redpath
Your Scotland team for this afternoon’s game 🏴#AsOne pic.twitter.com/qlELM7fc6X
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 18, 2023
Preamble
Hello everyone! We made it. The final round of what’s been a cracking Six Nations. And, if I can get a little personal, it’s my two favourite teams in the competition. I know France and Ireland are the darlings of European rugby right now, but I just adore what the Scots and Italians are all about. It should be dashing and daring (despite the absence of Finn).
For Scotland, they have a chance to underline their status as the third best team on the continent. They haven’t had a top half finish since 2018 and a win today will secure third spot.
Italy are out to prove that last year’s win over Wales was no one hit wonder. They’ve been disappointing this campaign despite putting in some strong performances. Victory today would be some scalp and as this is their final hoorah, they’ll give it everything.
My name is Daniel, but feel free to call me Dan, we’re all friends in these parts. Drop me a line if you fancy. Looking forward to being with you over the next few hours.
Kick off is at 12:30. Teams and other bits to come.
