Scotland’s Under 20s kick off their Six Nations campaign at Hive Stadium, Murrayfield. The home side are out for redemption after last year’s 47-14 loss against Italy. Will the Thistle Army pull it out of the bag with home advantage this time round? Alex Brattesani reports:
Scotland walk out, holding their heads high, game faces on; the Italians run on the pitch with energy and enthusiasm.
The home side maintain pressure in their offensive half yet struggle to pass the Italian wall. After a few minutes of attacking effort, Italy gain possession and perform a strong lineout in the Scot’s 22-metre defensive line. With the fans shouting “Italia, Italia, Italia”, in unison, tensions are high. As Italy edges closer to their first try, Scotland refuses to let them pass.
The home side is back in business, testing the opposition’s limits. A few metres away from the end zone, Scotland perform a promising line-out and finish with the first try of the game from number 7, Billy Allen.
A ‘yo-yo-styled’ play continues for a few minutes post-try, but Scotland turns on the heat and goes into attack mode. Italy responds quickly, remaining disciplined and achieving possession in their offensive half. After an Italian lineout in the 26th minute, it looks promising for the visitors but shortly breaks down leading to a Scotland turnover.
A halfway line scrum shadows Scotland’s transition from one wing to another but is intercepted by Frederico Zaanandrea, darting for the end zone with no one to catch him. Roberto Fasti follows with a conversion.
A scrum in the 36th minute on the right wing follows Scotland carry the ball across the pitch, however, faults with clumsy passes along the way. This pattern continues with the Italians enforcing pressure and getting closer to the touchline—the halftime whistle blows; Scotland 5 – Italy 7.
Scotland kicks off the second half, attempting to force the offensive pressure, but nerves get the best of them after losing possession. Italy switches on with Jules Ducros hunting the loose ball down the pitch but is swiftly cut off by Scotland’s Guy Rogers.
Another clumsy Scotland lineout results in Italy’s turnover, driving towards the try line. A speedy “three-man weave” from Ducros, Antony Miranda and Niccolò Beni results in an unconverted try.
A few changes in the 50th minute for Scotland with Bart Godsell, Oliver Duncan and Hector Patterson replacing Charlie Moss, Christian Lindsay and Noah Cowen. Italy follows with Pietro Celi arriving on the pitch, replacing Gianmarco Pietramala. After the short visit from the new arrivals, an injury time-out is called; Pietro Bolognini replaces Enoch Opoku Gymafi.
Despite the stop-and-start momentum of the second half, the boys are back in business and Hive is full of noise from an abundance of ‘Italia’ chants and Scottish rumbles. The 58th minute saw Italy with an opportunity on the wing, metres away from the end zone yet an overshot pass destroyed that third try dream.
Although the Italians are forcing consistent offensive pressure, Scotland’s wall cannot be broken down. Possession is drifting from wing to wing, Italy are seeking loopholes but the home side refuses to crack them. After patience and determination for a few more minutes, Italy’s Edoardo Todaro escapes from the scramble, moves into the “home alone” middle channel, touches down over the line, and Fasti finishes the excitement with the conversion- Scotland 5 – Italy 19.
The pitch welcomes three fresh faces for Scotland, manifesting a hopeful try. The home side work their magic, rushing towards the offensive zone for the first time in the second half. Guy Rogers displayed an impressive passage of play with quick hands, close to the try line but is closed down by the Italian defence.
Scotland dominating the wing, motivated to push over the try line, results in an exceptional dive over the try line from Oliver Duncan – the first of his U20 career.
Four minutes to go and the tensions are high, on and off the pitch with a mixture of chants from the crowd. Italy gain a penalty in their offensive half with Fasti converting successfully.
Scotland heeds with hungriness, eager to push for that last try but are shut down inches away from the try line. The final whistle blows, Scotland fans are silent as the Italians shake the stands.
Final score: Scotland 10 – Italy 22
Despite the loss, Head Coach, Kenny Murray highlights key aspects of Scotland’s performance: “The pack has five Under 19s in it, but, you know it’s a first time I’ve seen the Scotland Under 20 scrum, dominate an Italian Under 20 scrum. In the last two years, I’ll be honest, we have struggled a lot against Italy’s scrum… then tonight we got Oliver McKenna who is a converted backrow to hooker to now loosehead prop, I thought he was outstanding in the scrum tonight.”
Coach Murray shares his thoughts on some critical moments on tonight’s game: “We threw over a few couple of lineouts into their half, and knocked ball on outside our 22 and it just fed their attack. So big learnings for the players as well. You know at this level of international rugby, small things really make a big difference.”
The Scottish side next face Ireland at Hive Stadium, Murrayfield on Saturday 8th February. After a convincing defeat by England last night, Scotland’s coach has his concerns about the next fixture: “Ireland look really dangerous, they’ll be tough next week here.”
