By Harry McLusky
Italy have recorded a historic Six Nations victory over Scotland, as Gli Azzurri earnt a deserved 31-29 win against the backdrop of a roaring sea of home supporters at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Louis Lynagh OH (2019) performed exquisitely in what turned out to be a dream debut for the Italy-born superstar. His first international try in the 44th minute was the first indicator of an Italian resurgence, as the hosts turned it round with an extraordinary second-half display to secure just their second Six Nations win since their last victory over Scotland, in 2015.
Italy drew first blood in Rome, with Paolo Garbisi splitting the posts with an early penalty, immediately showing glimmers of the young side’s determination to make history.
Nonetheless, Scotland came back ever stronger, with Zander Fagerson bundling over the line following 18 breathtaking phases of rugby. Kyle Steyn doubled down on Italy’s defensive vulnerability, breaking through and piling over despite the last-ditch efforts of Ange Capuozzo. Finn Russell’s conversions were typically flawless, giving Scotland an early 3-14 lead.
Italy’s response was a cleverly-worked line-out, with a cute chip from Martin Page-Relo setting up Juan Ignacio Brex to sneak round the post and get his side back into the game.
Along with his try, Brex’s eight carries and twelve tackles made a colossal difference, giving Italy the all-important control over the centre of the field, particularly in the second half, which proved crucial in securing a monumental victory.
Scotland, however, were not to be subdued; their maul was unstoppable, with Pierre Schoeman powering over the tryline to put the visitors in a commanding position with ten minutes before half time.
Garbisi and Page-Relo were yet again unperturbed in the face of defeat, with their two penalties giving the passionate home crowd hope heading into the half-time break.
With the game poised at 16-22 in Scotland’s favour, Lynagh was yet to leave his mark on a match which was, so far, largely focussed down the centre.
Scotland seemed to have picked up where they had left off as Huw Jones sliced through the Italian side, before setting up George Horne to earn their fourth try of the afternoon. The TMO spared Italy’s blushes, with Pierre Schoeman caught blocking off an Italian player, keeping the hosts within touching distance.
The disallowed try was arguably the turning point for Italy and Lynagh. Just two minutes later, Lynagh’s long-awaited moment arrived. As Garbisi collected the ball from the ruck, Lynagh’s eyes lit up, spotting the space in behind the Scottish defence, turning on the afterburners with lightning pace, before collecting the fly-half’s genius kick and touching down to spark delight amongst the Italian faithful. A try on his international debut – something Lynagh could have only dreamt about. With a proud Michael Lynagh watching on, Louis exemplified his potential and further cemented his own name on the international rugby stage. Despite Garbisi’s wayward conversion, missing the opportunity to give Italy the lead, Lynagh’s try was the catalyst for history to be made on his debut.
Capuozzo and Lynagh combined brilliantly to neutralise the ever-present threat of the dangerous Duhan van der Merwe, a player so often the difference-maker for the Scots. The former brushed their physical differences aside, dragging down the Scottish winger, before Lynagh came across to knock him into touch, quickly shutting down any opportunity to utilise his insurmountable pace and punish the Italian side.
Replacement Stephen Varney finally was the man to give Italy a deserved lead. After Lynagh released Ross Vintcent’s magnificent break, Italy’s persistence five yards out unlocked a faltering Scotland backline to earn a six-point advantage with twenty minutes left on the clock.
Having gained the all-important lead, it was backs to the wall for Italy, in search of their first home Six Nations win since 2013 against an in-form Scotland side. Van der Merwe was not at his usual best, missing a glaring opportunity to provide Ali Price with what would have been a simple try.
Paolo Garbisi was able to put his kicking woes behind him after Sam Skinner gave away a needless penalty, taking Italy beyond a converted try and all but securing an incredible win.
Skinner’s late converted try set up a nail-biting finale, but his knock-on meant that Italy were able to hold off Scotland’s surge enough to earn a famous win. A magnificent display of rugby rewarded the thousands of Italian fans with just their 14th ever Six Nations victory. Gli Azzurri move above both France and Wales in the Six Nations rankings, with one weekend of fixtures remaining.
Speaking to ITV after the game, Lynagh said that “I don’t think I have any words right now. One try, one win – I might retire! It’s an amazing thing, we’ve been working towards it the whole week, there was something in the air the whole week… it just all clicked for us.”
Lynagh, who captained Hampton’s 1st XV side in the 2018-19 season, will inevitably be in dreamland right now. His impact cannot be understated: a debut try, and a first home victory for Italy for 11 years. Alongside a promising set of players, perhaps this victory could mark a turning point for Italian rugby – the start of a new era under Gonazalo Quesada