Michael Cantillon
Sports Journalist
Last Updated: 07/02/26 4:41pm
Scotland began their 2026 Six Nations campaign with a surprise 18-15 defeat to Italy in heavy rain in Rome.
Italy scored through wing Louis Lynagh (8) and centre Tommaso Menoncello (14), with fly-half Paolo Garbisi adding a conversion and two penalties (35, 49). Scotland crossed for tries through No 8 Jack Dempsey (24) and replacement scrum-half George Horne (67); Finn Russell kicked a conversion and a penalty (47). Final score: Italy 18, Scotland 15.
The match featured sloppy handling and disrupted lineouts in biblical rain. Both teams lost early lineouts, and a Francesco Cannone breakdown penalty brought Italy into position for their opening score when Lynagh finished off a Juan Ignacio Brex grubber. Garbisi missed the conversion from the post but soon Italy were penalised after spilling the restart and conceding a scrum penalty.
Italy struck again when Lynagh climbed to claim a high Alessandro Fusco box-kick; play spread left and Menoncello finished in the corner. Garbisi’s conversion made it 12-0.
Scotland responded after Italy were pinged for obstruction. Despite poor lineout possession, the visitors kept the ball and Dempsey stepped and dived over following a breakdown incident that saw Manuel Zuliani penalised — a decision Scotland felt was missed by referee Ben O’Keeffe. Russell’s conversion made it 12-7.
Italy extended their lead when Tuipulotu was penalised for obstruction; Italy kicked to the corner, forced a penalty and Garbisi’s kick made it 15-7. Garbisi missed two drop-goal attempts late in the first half as the rain intensified.
Early in the second half Menoncello made a long break but Italy’s attack was repelled. Scotland added three points through Russell, narrowing the gap to five. A poor restart by Scotland put Italy back on the front foot; a high tackle on Zuliani by Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman gave Garbisi a penalty and restored Italy’s two-score lead.
Scotland’s George Turner was sin-binned for a shoulder-charge ruck clear-out on Zuliani, leaving Scotland a man down for 10 minutes, but Italy could not add to their score during that spell. Monty Ioane was involved in a missed obstruction call which later proved costly when Italy were penalised for offside; Scotland kicked to the corner and Horne slid over from a maul. Russell’s conversion missed, leaving Scotland three points behind.
The game ended with a 29-phase Scotland attack inside the Italy 22, but a choke-tackle maul and resolute Italian defence repelled the visitors and secured a deserved home win.
Match details
Italy — Tries: Lynagh (8), Menoncello (14). Conversion: Garbisi (15). Penalties: Garbisi (35, 49).
Scotland — Tries: Dempsey (24), Horne (67). Conversion: Russell (25). Penalty: Russell (47).
Post-match
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu to BBC Sport: “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 to BBC Sport: “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)