Michael Cantillon
Sports Journalist
Last updated: 07/02/26 4:41pm
Scotland opened their 2026 Six Nations campaign with a surprise 18-15 defeat to Italy in a rain-lashed Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Italy struck early through wing Louis Lynagh (8) and centre Tommaso Menoncello (14). Fly-half Paolo Garbisi added a conversion and two penalties (35, 49) to finish on 11 points. Scotland replied with tries from No.8 Jack Dempsey (24) and replacement scrum-half George Horne (67); Finn Russell converted one and kicked a penalty (47). Final score: Italy 18, Scotland 15.
The match was defined by heavy rain, handling errors and disrupted lineouts. Both sides lost early lineouts in awful conditions. Italy’s opening score came after a breakdown penalty to Francesco Cannone put them in range; Juan Ignacio Brex’s grubber opened space for Lynagh to finish. Garbisi missed the conversion from the touchline, but Italy kept their momentum.
They added a second try when Lynagh climbed to gather an Alessandro Fusco box-kick and the move spread left for Menoncello to touch down in the corner; Garbisi’s kick made it 12-0.
Scotland hauled themselves back into the contest after Italy were penalised for obstruction. From sustained possession despite poor lineout ball, Dempsey stepped through and dove over following a breakdown that left Manuel Zuliani penalised — a call Scotland felt was missed by referee Ben O’Keeffe. Russell’s conversion reduced the deficit to 12-7.
Italy extended their lead when Sione Tuipulotu was penalised for obstruction; a lineout drive and subsequent penalty allowed Garbisi to make it 15-7. Garbisi also attempted two drop goals late in the first half but failed to add to the total as the rain worsened.
Early in the second half Menoncello broke strongly but Italy’s attack was repelled. Russell’s penalty narrowed the gap to five. Scotland then gave Italy a boost with a poor restart and a high tackle by hooker Ewan Ashman on Zuliani, which handed Garbisi another three points and restored a two-score cushion at 18-10.
Scotland’s frustrations grew when George Turner was sin-binned for a shoulder-charge on a ruck clear-out, leaving the visitors a man down for 10 minutes. Italy could not capitalise during that spell. A later Italian offside allowed Scotland to kick to the corner and from the resulting maul replacement scrum-half George Horne slid over. Russell’s conversion drifted wide, leaving Scotland 18-15.
The closing stages were frantic. Scotland mounted a 29-phase attack inside the Italy 22 but a choke-tackle maul and dogged Italian defence repelled the visitors and sealed a deserved home victory for Italy.
Match details
Italy — Tries: Lynagh (8), Menoncello (14). Conversion and penalties: Garbisi (conv 15; pens 35, 49).
Scotland — Tries: Dempsey (24), Horne (67). Conversion: Russell (25). Penalty: Russell (47).
Post-match
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu: “It’s very frustrating, we let them score too easily early on and then in the conditions points are too hard to come across. The errors are on us, we were too loose in the carry, they ultimately adjusted better than we did and that’s on us.”
Italy captain Michele Lamaro: “The team, this jersey and my heart, we are here to do this sort of game, we train so hard for the joy of doing this. It’s been an honour to get this big achievement, Scotland are such a great team and we know what they can do. To get a win against a team like that gives us so much confidence.”
What’s next?
Scotland host England at Murrayfield on Saturday February 14 (4.40pm).
Italy travel to Dublin to play Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday February 14 (2.10pm).
Scotland’s Six Nations 2026 fixtures
Saturday, February 7 — Italy 18-15 Scotland
Saturday, February 14 — Scotland vs England (4.40pm)
Saturday, February 21 — Wales vs Scotland (4.40pm)
Saturday, March 7 — Scotland vs France (2.10pm)
Saturday, March 14 — Ireland vs Scotland (2.10pm)
Italy’s Six Nations 2026 fixtures
Saturday, February 7 — Italy 18-15 Scotland
Saturday, February 14 — Ireland vs Italy (2.10pm)
Sunday, February 22 — France vs Italy (3.10pm)
Saturday, March 7 — Italy vs England (4.40pm)
Saturday, March 14 — Wales vs Italy (4.40pm)