The U20 Six Nations campaign kicks off at the Hive Stadium on a frosty January Friday night. Scotland are eager for redemption after last year’s 47-14 defeat to Italy – what will this evening hold?
First Half
The match begins at 19:15, with Italian cheers filling the stadium as they start strong. However, a mishandled lineout from Italy sees Scotland steal possession. With some solid ball carrying, Kerr Yule is penalised for holding on, forcing the home side to defend a lineout deep in their own 22.
Scotland hold firm in defence as Italy edge closer to the try line. Federico Zanandrea nearly breaks through with an electrifying run, but Scotland’s defence remains resilient.
A handling error in midfield from Italy allows Scotland a kick into the opposition’s 22. The home side capitalises with a powerful maul, leading to Billy Allen scoring the opening try in the 15 th minute. The conversion is missed.
Scotland 5-0 Italy
Italy apply pressure in the 21 st minute, with Jules Ducros breaking through, but a forward pass halts the attack, handing Scotland the ball. Italy continues to win penalties and push forward, but a defensive stand from Scotland results in a goal-line dropout.
Momentum swings when Zanandrea intercepts a pass from Fergus Watson, sprints up the middle, and crosses the line for Italy’s first try. Roberto Fasti adds the extras.
Italy 7-5 Scotland
Italy’s number 11 showcases blistering pace, repeatedly challenging the Scottish defence, while the Italian supporters make their presence known.
Half time: Italy 7-5 Scotland
Second Half
Scotland’s second half begins with an overthrown lineout, allowing Italy’s number 13 to charge up field, but Guy Rodgers steps up with a crucial turnover.
In the 45 th minute, slick passing and a dazzling run from Ducros set up a try for Niccolò Beni, with Antony Italo Miranda playing a key supporting role. The Hive Stadium erupts with Italian celebrations.
Fasti’s conversion is unsuccessful.
Italy 12-5 Scotland
Scotland make substitutions, with Charlie Moss and Christian Lindsay making way for Oli Duncan and Bart Godsell, while Noah Cowan replaces Hector Patterson at scrumhalf.
A penalty for Italy at halfway presents an opportunity, but Fasti’s kick at the posts drifts wide.
In the 61 st minute, Italy continue their attacking pressure, and Edoardo Todaro slices through Scotland’s defence to score under the posts. This time, Fasti nails the conversion, extending Italy’s lead.
Italy 19-5 Scotland
With 15 minutes to go, Scotland make more changes, bringing Nairn Moncrieff on for Fergus Watson. Scotland respond with some fluid attacking play, working the ball to Jack Brown on the wing, but they can’t quite break through.
In the 71 st minute, Scotland’s persistence pays off. A well-structured maul in the corner powers Oliver Duncan over the line. However, Urwin misses the conversion from a tricky angle.
Italy 19-10 Scotland
As the clock ticks down, both teams fight hard. Scotland push to close the gap, but Italy remains composed. A 77 th minute penalty allows Fasti to slot another three points, seeing the victory.
Italy 22-10 Scotland
In the dying moments, Scotland earn a penalty corner and drive towards the line, but Italy turns the ball over and kick it out to end the match.
A dominant display from Italy leaves Scotland with plenty to reflect on.
Full time: Italy 22-10 Scotland
Head coach Kenny Murray reflected on the game afterwards and said: “In the last two years we’ve struggled a lot against Italy’s scrum and tonight we had Olly Mckenna who’s a converted back row, to hooker to now loose head prop and I thought he was outstanding in the scrum tonight.”
He added: “We need to be more clinical, and our contact needs to be better. He followed on to say, “we’ve got Ireland next week which will be tough.”
Number 10 Matthew Urwin spoke on the loss saying: “I thought the energy from everyone was there, just probably lacking a bit of execution and that’s frustrating. I thought there were chances there, we just need to go back and review it to learn how to capitalise on them.”
Team:
Scotland U20: 15 Jack Brown (Edinburgh Rugby), 14. Guy Rodgers (University of Surrey), 13. Johnny Ventiei CAPTAIN, 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Fergus Watson, 10. Matthew Urwin (all Glasgow Warriors) 9. Noah Cowan (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders); 1. Oliver Mckenna, 2. Joe Roberts (both Glasgow Warriors) 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby), 4. Charlie Moss (Montpellier), 5. Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors), 6. Christian Lindsay (Lorretto School/Edinburgh Rugby), 7. Billy Allen (Dungannon RFC), 8. Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints).
Replacements: 16. Seb Stephen (Edinburgh Academical FC) (for Roberts 62 min), 17. Jake Shearer (Glasgow Warriors) (for Mckenna 58 mins), 18. Ryan Whitfield (Biggar FRC) (for Blyth-Lafferty 78 min), 19. Bart Godsell (Loughborough University) (for Moss 49 min), 20. Oliver Duncan (for Lindsay 49 min), 21. Hector Patterson (for Cowan 40 min) 22. Ross Wolfenden (for Urwin 76 min), 23. Nairn Moncrieff (all Edinburgh Rugby) (for Watson 64 min).
Italy U20: 15. Gianmarco Pietramala 14. Jules Ducros 13. Federico Zanandrea, 12. Edoardo Todaro, 11.Malik Faissal 10. Roberto Fasti 9. Niccolo Beni; 1. Sergio Pelliccioli 2. Alessio Caiolo-Serra 3. Bruno Vallesi 4. Tommaso Redondi 5. Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 6. Antony Italo Miranda 7. Nelson Casartelli 8. Giacomo Milano CAPTAIN.
Referee: Sara Cox
Player of the Match: Edoardo Todaro (Italy)